Assembly Speaker Lauds Otu Over Efforts To Rejig Tourism Sector
By Abasi Ita
Calabar
Speaker of the Cross River state House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Elvert Ayambem has commended the state governor, Senator Bassey Otu for deliberate efforts aimed at rejuvenating the state tourism sector to reclaim lost grounds.
Speaking at the presentation of cheques of one million naira grant to 10 benefitting hotels from the central Senatorial District of the state at Diamond Hall, Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar, Ayambem described the incentive as “a significant milestone in the government’s quest to rejig the sector with a view of showcasing the state’s rich tourism endowment”
He posited that” This event demonstrates the peculiar interest of Governor Bassey Otu in rejuvenating our tourism ecosystem with a view of harnessing its huge potentials to fastrack our economic growth”
Ayambem lauded Governor Otu for the package and tasked beneficiaries to ensure proper use of the fund to promote standard and service delivery in an improved environment.
” It’s incumbent on the beneficiaries to reciprocate this unprecedented gesture by ensuring judicious use of the grant to promote the comfort and satisfaction of guests who patronize their facilities”
In his remarks, the Commissioner, Ministry of Tourism, Abubakar Ewa opined that priority attention accorded to the sector under the present administration reflects the government’s peculiar interest in repositioning tourism in line with global trends.
He commended the managing director of the state Tourism Bureau for his vision, drive, and acumen which he noted has set the sector on track for recovery and optimum tourism traffic.
In his opening remarks, the managing director, Cross River Tourism Bureau, Ekpenyong Ojio revealed that: “This package, is part government’s concerted drive to rejig the tourism sector in the state, after almost a decade in the doldrums”
‘The grant is meant to assist the hoteliers to optimize operational efficiency, upgrade facilities, aesthetics, and other essential necessities to ensure guests derive maximum comfort and satisfaction. Our next target is the northern Senatorial District.
Responding, the chairman, of the state chapter of the Hoteliers Association, Charles Ogar expressed appreciation to the state government over the gesture noting that the intervention will assist in enhancing service delivery and operations.
The benefitting hotels are Heritage, Citizens, Jorany, Hotel 45, Oterus, Gravings, Nangbe Classic, Sideview, Three H and Palmoore Hotels