November 28, (THEWILL) – Ten hotels based in Calabar, Cross River State capital, have each earned a one million naira grant from the state government.
The benefiting hotels are Diamond Crue Hotel, Pyramid Hotels, Le Chateau Hotel, Channel View Hotel and Calcom Hotel.
Others are Tourist Castle Luxury and Suites, Royal Bit Hotel, Global Dream Hotel, Ahkira Lodges and Formula Executive Suites.
The award is courtesy of the Cross River State Tourism Bureau in its initiative tagged “Empowering Hotels, Investing In Excellence”.
Presenting the award at the Kada Cinema in Calabar, the Managing Director of the Bureau, Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong, said the presentation is a testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to sustainable tourism and belief in the potential of local businesses.
“These ten exceptional hotels were carefully selected based on their commendable efforts in staying up to date with licensing requirements and their potential for remarkable growth.
“Today’s recognition is not merely a financial grant, it’s a vote of confidence in your commitment to excellence, service quality, and the advancement of our State’s tourism landscape”, he said.
He added that the ten hotels will be closely monitored in alignment with the grant criteria and the minimum requirements of industry standards.
He said the award which is starting in the South will go to the central and north in the first and second quarters of next year before returning to the South before the Carnival.
He also commended the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, for his steadfast dedication to fulfilling promises outlined in the ‘People’s First’ mandate.
The speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, in his address, said the grant is a welcome development.
Samuel Neji Abang, the member representing Ikom 1 State Constituency in the house who represented the speaker said the assembly will come up with strong laws on security and cleanliness to boost the sector.
One of the beneficiaries, Charles Ogar from Pyramid Hotels, said no government in the state has ever done what Governor Otu has done with the grant.
Ogar, who is also the Chairman of the Hoteliers Association, said they will form a team to monitor and ensure that the funds are judiciously used for the purposes intended.
THEWILL reports that the grant will cover the central and northern parts of the state next year before returning to the south ahead of next year’s carnival.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
