Small businesses and investors in Cross River State are set to benefit from new economic opportunities following the official return of the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort to the state government.
Governor Bassey Otu described the handover from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) as a major step toward reviving the state's business environment, noting that it marks "a renewal of Cross River's economic vision."
He said the resort's recovery will help reposition the state as a hub for trade, tourism, and creative enterprise—three sectors driven heavily by SMEs. Otu added that discussions are ongoing with credible investors to re-energize Tinapa and create a more competitive space for small businesses to thrive.
"Our goal is to make Tinapa a free zone of excellence where entrepreneurship, tourism, and innovation can grow," the governor said, assuring local traders and emerging enterprises that Tinapa is once again open to support their expansion.
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Commissioner for Finance, Mike Odere, noted that the financial settlement enabling the takeover demonstrates the administration's commitment to strengthening the state's economy and restoring confidence among local investors.
AMCON's Executive Director, Shola Lamide, explained that the corporation handed back the facility after attempts to attract private investors stalled, stating that returning Tinapa to the state creates the best pathway for revitalizing business activity.
For many entrepreneurs, the handover is being welcomed as the beginning of a new economic era—one expected to create improved access to markets, boost tourism-driven SMEs, and attract new investments into Cross River's growing business ecosystem.
