Ministry of Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary Reverend Dr. Howard Sikwela says Sioma District is poised for serious tourism product development and services.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on the District Commission Maurice Litula ahead of the launch of the General Management Plan (GMP) for the Lower West Zambezi Management Area, the PS said the restocking and launch of the GMP is because Government wants to develop tourism in the area and that people must have ownership of the development.

“Tourism will be able to change the people’s lives in the region and that Western Province has not been left behind as we are trying to develop a tourism corridor from Livingstone to Liuwa where thereby benefiting the people of Sioma as tourist have an extended stay”, he added.

He says he is impressed that the DC’s office is in with the development plans of the district in line with the government agenda for the area.

Earlier, Mr. Litula said the tourism potential of Sioma cannot be over-emphasized as locals even call it the ’Tourism Capital’ of Western Province’.

Mr. Litula says the district boasts of the third biggest national park in the country, the Sioma-Ngwezi National Park, the Sioma -Ngonye Falls and a lot of tourists are seen on their route to Liuwa National Park.

He has noted that these tourists could be making stop overs in the district once the area has accommodation facilities.

The DC says the reports of the Human-Animal conflicts are a big problem especially with the crocodile but the development of bringing water close to the people will reduce the problem.

This is contained in a statement issued to Money FM News by Ministry of Tourism and Arts Public Relations Manager Sakabilo Kalembwe.