By Haruna Aliyu, Birnin Kebbi 

The executive Director Access bank, Hadiza Ambursa has enjoined banks, financial institutions and government to support the tourism industry for the country’s economic growth.

She said if they are passionate about financial inclusion,  they should intervene in the sector to help the growth of the SMEs, formal and informal sectors of the nation’s economy . “We didn’t have many foreigners in the last event at Argungu like we had many of them participating in the past events, and coming to help the state and country’s economy”, Ambursa said.

The bank boss added that if there are many foreigners coming to participate, the state and the country would have more funds because the people coming will be spending and it will help the SME’s, smaller businesses and in whole, have impact on the industry and Nigeria. 

She said “I think the government should spend more money in the sector. President Tinubu, during the Argungu event, talked about development of infrastructure. Yes, we need infrastructure, yes, we need power, and we need security but the government should be less stingy to the tourism  sector and put more money into it for people to feel its social impact.

“I have traveled to many countries and I have spent money to see some of the things we have here in the country. We are not taking tourism seriously,  if there are more people or institutions doing what Access Bank is doing it will be better for tourism in Nigeria”.

The bank executive director added that the bank because of its passion for the industry  intervened in the Argungu fishing festival and it’s also intervening in the National Theatre project with the Central Bank of Nigeria. She said if other banks, financial institutions and individuals are seeing the value of tourism they should come in to support it and get the sector to where it should be.

“Let’s use the Argungu fishing festival for example, look at the number of people there for the four days event. It created economic opportunities for food sellers, those selling drinks and those invited to put the whole thing in place. I think it puts a lot of money in peoples’ pockets “, the bank ED said.

She also stated that the fishing festival benefitted Argungu people economically and by extension Kebbi State but they could have benefitted more  if the event were up to the standard expected. “So, if we can get the industry up and running it can help in the economic development of the country as a whole”, she said.

Ambursa emphasized that the event is a catalyst for job creation, SME’s growth and community development and if such events are held regularly people will create businesses around it, food and hotel businesses, SMEs and informal sectors of the country’s economy will be developed. 

 “I spoke to several people at the Argungu fishing festival event and they were happy simply because of the Access Bank’s brand, they see that we are supporting the festival with the fact that we have a branch in Argungu”. She continued that the bank is poised to have impact in all the communities it’s operating and would support whatever is important to them.

She enjoined other banks, financial institutions and government to come together and support tourism events in the way Access Bank is doing and since they are passionate about financial inclusion, it help the growth of the formal sector and the country. 

The bank Executive Director said the Access Bank supported the Kebbi State Government to hold the just concluded Argungu International fishing and cultural festival because it is passionate about African culture and because it has cultivated good relationships with Kebbi state.