The Ogbor axis of Aba, the commercial hub of Abia state, is witnessing speedy infrastructural development in readiness for the proposed renovation work at Enyimba Hotel
Pecohub checks revealed that work is in progress at the Ikot Ekpene – Gravel – Abiriba -Pepples Road, the Ovom-Pepples Road Erosion site, while a new bus stop has been constructed near the hotel.
Enyimba Hotels Limited Aba, a towering edifice of about 125 rooms, situated at Ogbo-Hill and facing the Aba River, in the minds of the founding fathers, was designed not only to beautify the city, but also to develop the area as a tourist centre.
After about 40 years of neglect and abandonment, the Abia State government and the Radisson Hotels Group have signed an agreement to revamp the seven-storey Enyimba International Hotel, Aba.
Alex Otti, governor of Abia State, in a speech at the signing of the MoU, affirmed that his administration has put all necessary mechanisms in place to ensure the project’s success.
Represented by Ikechukwu Uwanna, state’s attorney general, Otti said that the Abia state government, would do its best to make the hotel meet the Radisson Group standards in order for the hotel to generate revenue back to the state
Governor Otti, assured that the government would maintain a strong relationship with the original owners of the hotel, while ensuring a smooth execution of the deal.
According to him, “Radisson has high standards that they want the state to construct the property.
And we know that those standards, the state would do its best to meet those specifications.
And when you meet those specifications, it will be in the interest of the beneficiary; the users of the place, which are basically Abians and other people, who will be visiting.”
Erwan Garnier, senior director, Development Africa, Radisson Blu, noted that as a service provider with plans to expand in Africa, Aba remains a key location they want to add to their numbers.
He explained that the location, the product and the right people made it easy for them to key into the project to ensure its viability.
However, Uche Ukeje, director-hederal, Greater Abia Development Authority (GADA), commended Governor Otti-led government for taking decisive steps to revive the abandoned project.
Some residents and business operators in that corridor, explained that roads around the hotel, were deplorable, due to erosion menace, which posed great danger and losses to residents and businesses.