The Cross River State government has said it will harness the potential of the newly discovered Nkum Okpemae community fishing festival because it will boost the tourism activities of the state.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Development, Eric Anderson, said the festival was upgraded to make it bigger and better.

He spoke at this year’s Okpambe Fishing and Cultural Festival (OCAFFEST), marked annually by the Nkum Okpambe Community in Obubra Local Government Area of the State.

Anderson said that the festival has great potential and is a good tourism product which can contribute to further development of culture and tourism.

“Going by what has been witnessed here, this festival provides the warmth of the Yala-Obubra hospitality.

According to history, the annual one week fishing festival is as old as the community itself, dating back to the early 16th century.

It is observed in the first quarter of every year between January and April.

Each of the lakes has the capacity to accommodate a crowd of 10,000 to 20,000 participants.

Natives said besides these lakes, there are other tourism sites like the “Wonder slab of stone’, the presence of ancient monoliths spread across the villages of Okpambe town, mainly located in Omindom, Ukpochi and Ogana ancestral playgrounds, beautiful sand beaches, waterfalls, a mysterious secret bush, a beautiful traditional palace and others.

The Chairman, Obubra Local Government Area, Dr. Bassey Agara Tom, pledged that the council will continue to collaborate with the ministry and Coneri Magazine to enhance the festival.