By Rukayat Moisemhe

The Abia State Government and the management of Radisson Blu Hotels on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to revive the state’s hospitality industry.

Dr Alex Otti, Governor of Abia, at the signing ceremony in Lagos, stated that the agreement was to facilitate the building of a hotel facility in Aba area of the state.

Otti, who was represented by Mr Ikechukwu Uwanna, the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, said the development would further showcase the economic viability of the state.

He pledged that the state, under his leadership, would continually revitalise its broad plan of economic viability.

The governor said that due diligence was carried out to ensure that the contract was mutually beneficial and in the best interest of the concerned parties.

He added that the state would continue to create modalities to ensure its success.

“The Radisson brand is of high standard and the state would do its best to meet the specifications in the building of an international hotel of repute.

“There are well laid structure in the agreement that covers all parameters including dispute resolution.

“With regards to safety and security in the state, Abia State has been relatively safe as throughout the festive season, there were no incidences on insecurity.

“We would continue to invest in the state’s security infrastructure to guarantee safety of persons, businesses and investments in the state,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr Erwan Garnier, Senior Director, Development, Africa, Radisson Blu, noted that the tourism and hospitality industry in the country was getting more robust.

Granier revealed that the hotel was a state-owned asset and that Radisson was its operator with its operations based on the hotel’s international standards in line with best practices.

He said that Radisson had been expanding its operations in Africa since 2000 and that Nigeria was top priority of its expansion with plans to increase its locations from 13 to 25 hotels by 2025.

“We have created a strategy that focuses on key cities and key state cities such as Abia and that has birthed this partnership,” he said.

Mr Ukeje Uche, Director-General, Greater Aba Development Authority, said the hotel’s first phase consisting of 125 rooms, would help create 500 direct and about 5,000 indirect jobs.

He added that the development would help the state increase its Internally Generated Revenue and engender a robust presence in state’s hospitality industry.

“With this development, a lot of people that would otherwise not come to Abia would now come because of the guarantee of the Radisson brand.

“While this has been in the pipeline, the state’s current leadership has ensured its actualisation.

“The government has made provisions to fund the project projected to cost close to $50 million and has an aggressive timeline to complete the project in two years,” he said.

Chief Geoffrey Uzoagbara, President, Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, commended the governor for his stride in developing the property. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Obinna Unaeze/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma