…Into world-class leisure, hospitality resort
By Fredrick Njoku
Imo state government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator (Dr) Hope Uzodimma, has signed a tripartite agreement, aimed at transforming the Nworie and Otamiri Rivers, into a world-class leisure and hospitality destination. The agreement brings together, three key stakeholders: the Ministry of Tourism, Hospitality and Culture, (as the supervising agency), Heartland Holdings Limited (the investment financing and management contractor), and Conduc Nigeria Limited (the civil engineering and construction firm). The landmark project will convert approximately, 176 hectares of waterfront land, into a modern tourism, hospitality, and recreational resort centre.
The signing ceremony, which took place in the Ministry’s office at the State Secretariat Complex, Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, was witnessed by senior government officials, including the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. T.U.C. Nwokonkwo, Heads of Departments, and representatives from associated agencies. Also in attendance was the Solicitor General / Permanent Secretary overseeing the office of the Attorney General/ Commissioner for Justice, Imo State.
In a statement made available to Journalists, the Commissioner for Tourism, Hospitality and Culture, Barr. Jerry Egemba, described the initiative as a “historic and transformative step” for Imo State.
He noted that the project is designed to boost the state’s tourism sector, provide employment opportunities, and reposition Imo as a premium leisure destination in Nigeria and beyond.
According to the Commissioner, the resort development will feature a variety of world-class attractions, including: water leisure amenities, such as, slides and rides, an Amusement Park, Boat Cruise facilities, Multi-purpose Event Centres, Family Entertainment Zones, Food Courts , a Shopping Mall, Resort-style accommodation, and other modern recreational infrastructure.
Barr.Egemba further explained that a Special Purpose Vehicle( SPV) will oversee the execution, management and operations of the project.
The terms of the agreement also focus on revitalizing the state’s tourism ecosystem,
creating job opportunities across construction, hospitality, and tourism services, fostering community engagement and stakeholder inclusion, attracting both local and international tourists, and stimulating economic growth through increased commercial and hospitality activities.
He added that to ensure transparency and good governance, the SPV will operate under strict performance and financial accountability protocols. These include; quarterly performance reviews, annual reporting, regulatory compliance, and mechanisms for independent audits. This aligns with the state government’s “Public Assurance Policy,” which emphasizes transparency, accountability, and trust-building with investors and the general public.
“The state government is fully committed to making this project a model of public-private partnership success. We want to demonstrate that Imo is open for business and serious about delivering sustainable development,” Egemba affirmed.
The Heartland River Park project is expected to significantly enhance the aesthetic and economic value of the Nworie and Otamiri river corridors, setting a new benchmark for tourism development in Nigeria.
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