Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has described the recovery of the Tinapa Business Resort from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) as the restoration of one of the state’s most significant economic assets, saying the development marks the revival of a bold vision for growth and investment.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Calabar, Otu said Tinapa’s return symbolises the “triumph of faith, patience and resilience,” noting that the resort remains central to the state’s ambition to reposition itself as a regional hub for trade, tourism and creative enterprise.
“The return of Tinapa is not merely an event; it is a rebirth,” the governor said. “It is a battle fought and won for all Cross Riverians. We are breathing new life into Tinapa, not as a relic of abandoned ambition but as a living symbol of Cross River’s resilience.”
Tinapa, developed in 2007 under former Governor Donald Duke, was conceived as a modern business and leisure complex with Free Trade Zone status. However, financial challenges led to its takeover by AMCON in 2011, leaving the facility largely dormant for over a decade.
Otu said reclaiming the project aligns with his administration’s People First agenda and its push to revive stalled economic infrastructure. He disclosed that the state has already begun engaging potential investors to reposition the resort under a transparent and professionally managed framework.
“We are committed to transforming Tinapa into a vibrant centre for commerce, innovation and job creation,” he said. “Credible partners are being identified to ensure that Tinapa fulfils the vision for which it was originally conceived.”
The governor described the handover as a collective achievement, acknowledging both past and present efforts to secure Tinapa’s return. He expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and other stakeholders who facilitated the agreement.
“Tinapa is once again ours, and under our watch, it shall flourish,” Otu declared. “Let the world know that Cross River has reclaimed her pride.”
Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Mike Odere, said the development restores hope in a project many believed was lost permanently, while AMCON Executive Director, Shola Lamide, noted that the corporation was unable to attract investors during its management of the facility and welcomed its return to the state.
With ownership now fully restored, the state government says the next phase is to reposition Tinapa as a key driver of economic activity and employment.
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