Kwa Falls.
OPINION
By Frank Inyang
KWA FALLS was once upon a time one of Nigeria’s prominent Eco- Tourism attractions located within an oil palm plantation at Aningeja in Akampka Local Government Area , Cross River State , South South Nigeria
Between the 70s and 80s, it was a rendezvous to be as tourists ( both local and foreign ), fun seekers ,picnickers, academics and even the religious thronged there especially during weekends . It was a fun sport and resort of note witnessing heavy vehicular and human traffic.
Its ambiance and serene environment , a distance from the noise from an urban area , creates an enabling environment for tourism to succeed in a quiet environment located deep inside an oil plantation off the Calabar- Oban- Cameroon Road
Students of Geography visited there for the practical aspect of their subject to get a clearer understanding. Same with students of Electrical Engineering that came not only to see water falls, but be acquainted with the technology and workings of hydro Electricity
Kwa Falls , like the Bar Beach in Lagos , was also a site for spiritual assignments, where stumps of burnt candles of various colors could be seen on stones within reach
With time, the water falls got into oblivion and the environment was unkempt, bushy and abandoned in a very green vegetation of ferns and herbs with a broken stairs.
Like the mysterious bird, Phoenix, Kwa FALLS Eco- Tourism Resort has sprung to life courtesy of the Cross River Government to reclaim its place amongst other sites across the country in view of its location as an international border town to attract foreign tourists.
According to the Operational Manager of the Resort, Mr Paulinus Asim, “the state government through late Hon Abubarka Ewa, then the Commissioner for Tourism, had worked assiduously to ensure the resort came to life before he died-”
Asim disclosed that the government sought equity shares from a commercial bank in a joint partnership with others to ensure the resort’s success story, noting that the resort which is located within the Wimer Oil Palm Plantation and a short distance from the Unicem Factory (LAFARGE), has been revamped and restructured in standard to meet tourists’ delight
Facilities, either restructured or newly installed or built to give the water falls a face lift, include African Huts for a sit out, a Reception , Restaurant / Bar area, Staircases to the falls, renovation of the old building for conference or board meetings and convenient area.
Asim stated that the resort has been equipped for those that wish to celebrate their Valentine Day there as plenty of activities have been lined up for the day.
Such activities include Couples Competitions, Dance and Games, Special Photo Booth for Couples’ Photo Shoot, Karaoke and Cultural Performances for a fee.