Abia state Governor, Dr Alex Otti has expressed commitment to revitalizing the hospitality and tourism sectors in a bid to boost the state’s economy.
The Governor stated this during a meeting in Umuahia with members of the Nigeria Hotel Association and Hotel Proprietors Association.
Governor Otti, represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, expressed willingness to develop and fortify the hospitality and tourism industries to meet global standards.
Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba
He emphasized that his government’s rebuilding agenda was geared towards achieving equitable socioeconomic development, and added that the hotel owners had a vital role to play in this regard.
“We are here to kick start what would be an enduring legacy in terms of reshaping the perception of stakeholders in the hospitality industry. Also looking at creative ways to move the hospitality industry and one of the takeaways we are looking at is building partnership with stakeholders”.
The Governor acknowledged that while government could create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, it was the responsibility of entrepreneurs to drive wealth creation.
He assured that the state government would establish channels to enhance the visibility of Abia’s hospitality industry in the digital space, thereby facilitating the delivery of world-class services by hospitality businesses.
In his speech, the Commissioner for SME and Digital Economy, Dr Matthew Ekwuruibe, encouraged hospitality industry stakeholders to align with the government’s reconstruction agenda.
He revealed that plans were underway to develop a website for hotel listings and bookings, as well as connect hotels to Google Maps and added that the website would contain information about tourism centers in Abia.
Ekwuruibe noted that the use of digital technology to reinvent the hospitality industry holds a lot of benefits such as increased visibility, and enhanced ease of doing business, among others.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, underscored the pivotal role of the hospitality industry in economic growth and emphasized that the collaboration between government and hotel owners should evolve into a partnership to transform the hospitality sector.
Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu
In an address, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism and Entertainment, Mr Martins Justice, described the hospitality industry as the bedrock of the tourism sector. He said that the government was working to build a hospitality industry that would meet the demands of the 21st Century as well as develop the tourism sector.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism and Entertainment, Mr Martins Justice
Contributing, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Kazie Uko, described the meeting as a deliberate effort by the government to transform the hospitality industry in the State. Mr. Uko said that the engagement between the government and stakeholders had created a viable opportunity to address the issues hindering the growth of the industry in the State
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Kazie Uko
Earlier, the National Treasurer of Nigeria Hotel Association, Mr Charles Ezeala and a member of Hotel Proprietors Association, Aba branch, Mr. Nnanna Ngwakwe urged the State government to create an enabling environment for hotel businesses to thrive.
They cited challenges such as inadequate power supply and poor road networks and implored the State government to urgently intervene in resolving these issues.
The hoteliers appreciated Governor Alex Otti for his administration’s commitment to creating a conducive environment and supporting their businesses.
