PROBLEM FACING THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN ENUGU STATE A CASE STUDY OF EZEAGU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE

ABSTRACT

In this write up the investigation was centred on the need for the development of Tourism in the Local government of Enugu State.

The study highlighted various problems that hinder the Development of Tourism such as accessibility, accommodation, amenities, support, security and stability.

The sample consisted of ninety (90) respondents randomly drawn from teachers, social workers, counselors, nurses and village heads from the three clans of Ezeagu namely:

i.          Owanato

ii.         Mbanato          and

iii.        Oghe North

The probability sampling using a cluster sampling procedure was used.

The main instruments of the investigation were questionnaire, oral interview, official records, and library research and participants observation.

The sample responded on a two point rating scale of “yes” and “no”.   “AGREE or DISAGREE”.  Open-ended questions were also included to obtain responses for detail information.

Finally, the researcher made some suggestions that will enhance the development of tourism in the Local Government Area of Enugu State.

i.          Development to Tourism can be improved by constructing good network roads to the tourist sites of the Local Government by the State Government.

ii.         The Local Government Tourism Committee should organize workshop in order to advise the people in the society on the matters relating to tourism within Local Government Area.

Community involvement is surely needed in the development of tourism in Local Government Area of Enugu State.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0       INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

1.2       Statement of the Study

1.3       Objective of the Study

1.4       Significance of the Study

1.5       Limitation of the Study

1.6       Definition of Terms

1.7       References

2.0       LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1       Concepts of Culture in Tourism Developing

2.2       The Idea of Developing Tourism of Ezeagu Local Government Area

2.3       Possible Hindrances to Tourism Development at Local Government Area

2.4       References

3.0       RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1       Research Design

3.2       Sample Procedures

3.3       Data Collection

3.4       References

CHAPTER  ONE

1.0                                               INTRODUCTION

Tourism contributes to the awareness of cultural socio-economic values of different ethnics groups, thereby promoting the National Economy.

It upgrades the economy by publicizing, promoting and marketing the Nation’s tourism asset through domestic and international trade fair, expectation and exhibitions.

The issue of tourism is a new development to the third world countries but now especially to Nigeria. 

Ezeagu Local Government is richly blessed with uncountable National Culture and tourism potentials both in terms of physical cultural monuments like the tourists sits of the legendry.  According to Justus Opa, Heneke Lake, Obinofia Cave and Odukwu Cave.  Tourism is Leisure and recreational industry.  It is peaceful place or atmosphere, good disposition and generous hospitality are the key ingredients that can go and win the admiration and embrace of the industries and factories.

He further explains tourism as the fattest growing industries in the whole world.  As an industry, tourism is the organization of facilities for person to travel on holidays away from their homes.  Facilities that are organized include, transportation, accommodation, and such services as communication, electricity, water, shops, guides and likes.

Tourism has become a major sector of the world.  Additionally, tourism involves mass travel and leisure and the knowledge of new place and ideas can be both helpful and destructing.  Tourist experience cultural stuck as he visits new place or service.

The Ezeagu Local Government Area is made up of twenty-three communities that have unique features to boast of ranging from cultural festivals, tourist sites and its development.

1.1                               BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Ezeagu is one of the  seventeen (17) Local Government that made up of Enugu State Government of Nigeria.  Ezeagu is bound in the North by Uzo-Uwani Local government and in the south by Oji-River, West by Udi Local Government and East by Awka, which is the Capital of Anambra State.  In the Second republic, Ezeagu Local Government Area was carved out from Udi Local Government in 1975 and was made up of twenty-three (23) communities.

The communities were further divided into the geographical interestness:

i.          Owanato

ii.         Mbanato          and

iii.        Oghe North.

i.          Owanato Composed of:

1.         Imeziowa

2.         Agubuowa      and

3.         Mgbagbu-Owa

ii.         Mbanato is also made up of:

            1.         Umana Ndiagu

            2.         Aguobu Umumba

            3.         Obeleagu Umana

            4.         Obinofia Ndiagu Iwdiuno      and

            5.         Agba Umana

iii.        While Oghe is made up of:

            1.         Akama Oghe

2.         Amankwo

3.         Amansiodo

4.         Aguobu Iwollo

5.         Neke

6.         Ojofa

7.         Awha Ndiagu/Imezi Olo        and

8.         Okpogho

According to the Longman Dictionary of contemporary English the word tourism defines as the practice of traveling for pleasure especially holidays and also the business of providing holiday, tours hotel for tourists.

Tourists’ travels involve mass leisure.  Some gone are these days when tourist travel is regarded as merely non-work time.  It involves all activities interest and rewards ascribed to leisure and identified with meeting up with the desire and life.

Gaining understanding of distant physical and cultural place, enhancing physical fitness, obtaining relief from duty establishing and maintaining new friendship and association.

Tourism development had been a saving grace to all nations.

1.2                               STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Rural areas were known as non-urban undeveloped areas in the hinterland where a greater percentage of the population live in their village and hamlets.

These major areas are deprived of pipe-borne water, electricity; their major roads are foot parts and earth roads.  While their schools and hospitals are make-shift.  Rural development in Nigeria context will mean the total restructuring of the rural economy to modern commercialized agro-tourism based areas will the legal, political, organizational and attitudinal change that go with it.  Culture is also one of the problems that are hindering the development in the rural areas.

1.3                               OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The objective of this study is to identify and know all the problematic components facing the society for the development of tourism in the Local Government Areas.  However, the study is to know the extent of National economy integration upon tourism flourishment in any particular Local Government.  The researcher is to find out the need to develop tourism in the rural areas.

1.4                               SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of those researches is to see the need for the developing tourism in the Local Government.  Tourism contributes so substantially to a country’s wealth.  That country may today show a great interest in promoting the industry.  Therefore, if tourism is developed in Ezeagu, it will generate more revenue and create job opportunity for the young school leavers and unemployed youths.

The researcher is bound to touch directly and go deeply on how tourism is to be developed in the Local Government Area.

1.6                   DEFINITION OF IMPORTANT TERMS

There are many definitions used in carrying out the study.  The definitions are as follows:

1.         Personal interview

2.         Library research