The Osun State Government has revealed that it is pursuing a comprehensive upgrade of tourist sites in Osun State including the popular Erin Osun Waterfalls as part of its comprehensive tourism agenda.
The State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, made the disclosure in a statement in response to a recent viral video on the state of Erin Osun Waterfalls, announcing that the government is implementing a systemic upgrade after decades of neglect by previous administrations.
A viral video sighted by DAILY POST showed a visitor lamenting how the popular waterfall has been turned into a huge refuse dump.
The video also showed heaps of refuse scattered all over the complex housing the waterfall.
Alimi noted that the tourism infrastructure upgrade plan covers the Osun Grove, Owala Inland Beach Resort in Olorunda, Sango Timi Shrine in Ede, Ayunkunnugba Waterfalls in Oke-Ila Orangun and other cultural sites.
“On the state of the tourist sites in Osun, particularly Erin Ijesha Water Falls in Oriade local government, Governor Adeleke directed the fast tracking of ongoing renewal initiatives for the site which include the formation of a tripartite committee for the management of the site among others.”
Alimi, who noted that the entire management of Erin-Ijesha Waterfall is currently under the purview of Erin Ijesha community, said the status quo is meant to ensure localisation and overall local content to boost the local cultural and tourism industry.
The commissioner revealed that Governor Adeleke had directed that a tripartite meeting between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment and the leaders of Erin-Ijesa Community be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, to fashion out how to further maintain the environment and come up with an acceptable template that will benefit all interests involved.
