The ministry of Information and Culture is working to ensure that everyone in the film, music and hospitality industry enjoy one form of incentives or the other.
Already, a tax holiday of three years, renewable another two years is on ground for the industry.
The crurrent tax holiday is not available to all players in the industry because of the criteria in place.
Speaking at a meeting with the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed stressed that the curtent administration has repositioned the creative industry in Nigeria.
He noted that the, “Creative Industry is the Nigeria’s next oiI and I can say aawwith all sense of modesty that we have succeeded in repositioning the creative industry in Nigeria.
“We lobbied and succeeded in ensuring that the creative industry is among the industries that is benefitting from pioneer status
“In other words, today if you are in the film or music or hospitality industry, you are entitled to a tax holiday of three years, renewable another two years.
“However, we found out that not many of our people are benefitting from the pioneer status because the way the condition was crafted is that if you do not have asset worth of N400 million, you cannot benefit from the status.
“We are now working to ensure that we go to FEC to get approval that will make it possible that those that do not have that kind of capital will enjoy other incentives that will make it possible to make film and music and boost the industry.”
Mohammed stressed the role of infrastructure in tourism, saying that “With the huge potentials of Nasarawa state in tourism, I can say that state and tourism particularly the governor got it right with the realization that the major obstacle to tourism is infrastructure.
“I have no doubt in my mind that with proper promotion we will turn it around and make it the hub for film producers music producers and create around that area a resort and a destination of tour for vacation and holiday makers.
“The vision of the governor in seen that tourism is promoted in earnest is laudable because tourism involves many endeavor and provides so many jobs for so many people.
“The Director General of NIHOTOUR has offered to train 13 young men and women from Nasarawa state, one from each LG as tour guides. Tour guides are very important aspect of tourism. We expect the Commissioner to liaise with the NIHOTOUR.”
Governor Sule on his part said he is waiting for the ministry to help the state promote its tourism.
Speaking on one of the tourists site in the state, the Farin Ruwa waterfalls which was started by first executive Governor, Abdullahi Adamu, he said because there was no road nobody was interested in going to that area.
He explained that “There is a beauty on top of the hill where from there you can see the waterfall directly. That is where the investors can come in. we can build a conference centre there by investors who will be able to generate back his money. We can also have the opportunity of Polo club like the one Wadada built in Keffi at the site”.
