August 2,
2016
By Ijendu
Iheaka
The reconstruction and revival of the Enyimba
Hotels Limited will drive the renewal of commerce in Aba and Abia state, the Abia
state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has said.
Ikpeazu
spoke on Tuesday while flagging - off the reconstruction work at the hotel site
overlooking the Aba River at Ogbor Hill.
“What is
happening today is a dream come true because Aba is known for many important
and strategic things in trade and commerce especially in small and medium scale
enterprises
"But
what we lack is a befitting five star hotel within the environment and
landscape of Aba.
“This
huge gap namely, lack of a five star hotel has militated against development
and the presence of high profile investors in this land because we understand
that no billionaire would like to invest in a place where he cannot pass the
night”, he said.
Ikpeazu
thanked the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Mines, Industry and Agriculture (ACCIMA)
for the effort at getting Swiss International Hotels and Resorts to partner in
reviving the hotel.
He also
promised government’s support for the full realization of the revival of the
hotel in any way possible.
Speaking
at the event, ACCIMA Patron and Chairman, Enyimba Hotels Limited, Nze Macauley
Nwankwo said that the hotel was duly incorporated in June 1972 with number RC28277.
Nwankwo
said that the existing five-story building now standing with 100 rooms which
were left fallow since had been built by 1989 but was bought by the Chamber in
1991 from old Imo State.
He said
that the sale was concluded in 1994 after which the Chamber became known as a
core investor in the hotel which never took off as the structures were left to
rot away.
Nwankwo
solicited governor Ikpeazu’s support to ensure complete realization of the
hotel dream while commending the present President of the Chamber, Sir Emma
Nwakpadolu for his effort.
Dr Wasiu
Babalola, Managing Director, Africa, Swiss International Hotels and Resorts,
said that the company found the business worth investing in because of its
strategic position in Eastern Nigeria.
Babalola
said that the hotel would be expanded from 105 to 141 rooms, four residential
suites, a banquet hall for 1,000 persons and a swimming pool among others.
“This
hotel will take about N6 billion to complete with a hospitality school which is
expected to take off six months before the hotel comes on stream.
“It will
make Abia State the conference facility capital of the South East among others
and when completed it will employ over 250 staff and indirect staff of over 200
suppliers and distributors”, he said
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