5 October 2008
Lagos — Readers have been unhappy that many editions of the column were published without photographs to help them decide where to go. Today we have decided to publish some of the photographs dropped in previous editions. We are glad that many Nigerians now realise that our hotels, resorts and restaurants DO compare very favourably with the lovely places we travel abroad to dine and vacation in . All we need is to maintain our own facilities and expand the options and develop the industry. Enjoy.
Dining Out was excited when the ultra modern Tropicana Complex was commissioned in Uyo. A 10,000 seater dome (arena), a galleria of 6 cinema theatre, theme parks. It will comprise a 250-room, 5 star hotel, mall, cinema and conference centre and more.
I received the following statement from the office of Mr. Aniekan Umanah, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, as I tied up the column for the week. Due process is the present Nigerian government's mantra and we are glad that the hospitality industry is conscious of the need to be seen to be above board in all its dealings. This is especially important in a state like Akwa Ibom that is determined to become an international tourist destination.
"Thorough and due process was followed in the award of the contract, as the project was duly deliberated on in the State Executive Council and included in the State's supplementary budget. Also the State House of Assembly gave its nod to the project and passed the supplementary budget.
Till date, not a single kobo has yet been paid for the job to anybody.
The allegations by some faceless persons amount to nothing short of empty rantings meant to achieve nothing short of distraction and to mislead people on the noble intentions of the Akwa Ibom State government. In fact it is either that those behind it are uninformed or simply mischievous.
There is the need to develop a modern entertainment facility for the new generation of Akwa Ibom people, so that our people don't have to run to Lagos, Abuja or even outside the country before they can experience the good things of life? Can we not host conventions, major crusades and National events in an atmosphere of ambience? Our son, Samuel Peter the current WBC heavyweight Champion of the world could attract a world boxing bout to the state, and where could this hold? At present, there is no single hotel in the state capital with the capacity to accommodate over 500 people at a time.
The complex can also attract political party conventions, like that of the PDP held recently in Jos; major Christian crusades like that of Reinhard Bonke; as well as any other indoor sporting activity. Must our children be left to live in timidity without modern exposure that the Tropicana will bring?
What about the 5000 jobs it promises as well as business opportunities and revenue back to government?. Honestly, things have changed. There is a generational shift in the State. We are going modern. We want our kids to know , see and feel modernity.
What else can a government do for it's people?
Governor Akpabio who signed the contract with Silverbird's managing director, Ben Murray-Bruce in Uyo, had said that 15 companies bid for the job and three were selected, stressing that his administration was poised to make Akwa Ibom a tourism destination.
With tourism globally becoming one of the fastest growing and huge foreign exchange earners, the state governor, Barr. Godswill Akpabio, must have captured that hidden future when he decided that his administration was determined as a policy thrust, to make the state a destination for tourists. With only one 5-Star hotel, Le Meridien IbomHotel and Golf Resort, the new center, as promised by Governor Akpabio, will complement the government's efforts".
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