Badagry slave route island hosted 3,634 tourists between January and June

The Point-of-No-Return Island, also known as Gberefu Island hosted a record number of 3,634 tourists between January and June this year.

This was made known by the Secretary of the Tour Guides Association, Badagry, Mr Anago James who bemoaned the lack of facilities on the island, saying that with proper modern day facilities, the site would see even more visitors.

Anago noted that the site recorded such a number in the first place "because of the efforts of the tour guides in making tourists see things from a different perspective."

He said if the site had modern day facilities like chalets, where the tourists could stay, restaurants amongst other things, the tourists that visit would have been more because the place would be more attractive.

He pointed out that most times, tourists bring their food because there is no restaurant or bar on the island, he also added that there are no toilets either.

Bemoaning the lack of facilities, Anago said "the state government started building chalets and a walk path but it has been abandoned for several months as the chalet structures are still at foundation level."

He however said that despite the challenges, the tourist site still has all its historic relics, adding that a certain percentage was paid to the community for each tourist that comes.

Said Anago,

"The slave spirit attenuation is still intact as it had withstood the test of time, the ark, which is a monument depicting that slaves passed through it to enter into the slave boat, is still there and also the slave routes are still intact. So with all these, we are able to make things interesting for people who come here,’’

Speaking on the lack of amenities on the island, the Baale of Gberefu Island, Najimdeen Sanni, urged the government to remedy the situation by providing basic amenities like power supply, build schools and also empower the local fishermen with modern day tools.