Cross River State Government Invests in Hotel InfrastructureCross River State Government Invests in Hotel Infrastructure In an effort to enhance hotel facilities and attract tourists, the Cross River State Government has awarded grants of N1 million each to 10 hotels in the Central Senatorial District. Under the “Empowering Hotels, Investing In Excellence, Our Commitment to Sustainable Tourism” initiative, the government aims to revitalize the tourism sector. Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong, Managing Director of the Cross River State Tourism Bureau, emphasized the government’s commitment to sustainable tourism and the importance of supporting local businesses. The 10 selected hotels are being monitored for compliance with industry standards. The initiative will also be implemented in the northern senatorial districts. Governor Ben Ayade has pledged to continue the grant program throughout his term, demonstrating his commitment to economic growth and empowerment. The selection committee, chaired by Mr. Ugba Murphy, highlighted the potential of the chosen hotels and their efforts to meet licensing requirements. Speaker Elvert Ayambem of the House of Representatives welcomed the grants and pledged to introduce legislation to enhance safety and cleanliness in the sector. Tourism Commissioner Abubakar Ewa urged beneficiaries to utilize the support and collaborate with the government to strengthen the sector. The Chairman of the Cross River State Hoteliers Association, Mr. Charles Ogar, expressed gratitude and promised to monitor the use of the funds for intended purposes. Officials from the beneficiary hotels hailed the unprecedented gesture and pledged to upgrade their facilities to meet international standards.
As part of a deliberate effort to help hotels improve their facilities and bring them up to international standards, the Cross River State Government on Tuesday presented a cheque of N1 million to 10 hotels in the Central Senatorial District of the state.
The initiative is part of an innovation package by the Cross River State Tourism Bureau entitled “Empowering Hotels, Investing In Excellence, Our Commitment to Sustainable Tourism” which aims to revitalize the sector.
Presenting the cheques at a ceremony held at the Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar, the Bureau’s Managing Director, Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong, said the incentive is aimed at reinforcing the Bureau’s unwavering commitment to sustainable tourism and its belief in the potential of local businesses.
“Today’s recognition is not just a financial award; it is a vote of confidence in your commitment to excellence, quality of service and the advancement of our state’s tourism landscape,” he said.
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Ojoi revealed that the 10 hotels are being closely monitored in line with the grant criteria and minimum requirements of industry standards.
He said the package that started in the south, benefiting 10 hoteliers, and is now in effect in the central part, will be repeated in the northern senatorial districts before returning to the south.
The director who disclosed the governor’s promise to continue the gesture throughout his tenure, commended him for his commitment to fulfilling the promises set out in the “People’s First mantra”.
Prince Ojoi stressed that the award is a tangible testament to the Governor’s commitment to promoting economic growth and empowerment within the state.
Giving the basis for the selection, the Chairman of the Selection Committee, Mr. Ugba Murphy, said: “These 10 exceptional hotels in the Senate District have been carefully selected based on their commendable efforts to stay abreast of licensing requirements and their potential for remarkable growth.”
Presenting the award to some of the beneficiaries, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Elvert Ayambem, said the grant was a welcome development and promised that the Assembly would come up with stringent safety and cleanliness legislation to boost the sector.
He promised that the 10th meeting will collaborate with the Tourism Board and stakeholders to ensure the success of the sector in the state.
The State Commissioner for Tourism, Abubakar Ewa, advised the beneficiaries to make the most of the support and collaborate with the government to continue to strengthen the sector.
In his address, the Chairman of Cross River State Hoteliers Association, Mr. Charles Ogar, thanked the government for the gesture, saying they will constitute a team to monitor and ensure that the funds are wisely utilized for the intended purposes.
In separate interviews, officials of the beneficiary hotels said no government in the state had ever done what Governor Bassey Otu did with the grant, describing the gesture as unprecedented.
They promised to use the grant to bring their facilities up to standard.
