Cross River Hotels Receive N1 Million Grant for Facilities UpgradeCross River Hotels Receive N1 Million Grant for Facilities Upgrade In a bid to enhance tourism infrastructure, the Cross River State Government has awarded a N1 million grant to 10 hotels in the Central Senatorial District. The initiative, dubbed “Empowering Hotels, Investing In Excellence, Our Commitment to Sustainable Tourism,” aims to revitalize the sector by assisting hotels in meeting international standards. Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong, Managing Director of the Cross River State Tourism Bureau, presented the cheques at a ceremony in Calabar. He emphasized the government’s dedication to sustainable tourism and the belief in local businesses’ potential. The grant recipients have been meticulously monitored to ensure compliance with industry standards, and the program will be extended to the northern senatorial districts before returning to the south, according to Ojoi. Governor Ben Ayade’s commitment to economic growth and empowerment was highlighted in the grant, which is seen as a testament to his “People’s First mantra.” The selection of the 10 hotels was based on their efforts to meet licensing requirements and their potential for significant expansion, according to Mr. Ugba Murphy, Chairman of the Selection Committee. Elvert Ayambem, Speaker of the House of Representatives, praised the grant and vowed to work with the Tourism Board and stakeholders to improve the sector’s performance in the state. The grant, hailed as unprecedented by the Chairman of the Cross River State Hoteliers Association, Mr. Charles Ogar, will be used to enhance their facilities to meet international standards. Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the initiative, pledging to utilize the funds responsibly to elevate their hotels to the highest standards.
As part of a deliberate effort to help hotels improve their facilities and bring them up to international standards, the Cross River State Government on Tuesday presented a cheque of N1 million to 10 hotels in the Central Senatorial District of the state.
The initiative is part of an innovation package by the Cross River State Tourism Bureau entitled “Empowering Hotels, Investing In Excellence, Our Commitment to Sustainable Tourism” which aims to revitalize the sector.
Presenting the cheques at a ceremony held at the Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar, the Bureau’s Managing Director, Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong, said the incentive is aimed at reinforcing the Bureau’s unwavering commitment to sustainable tourism and its belief in the potential of local businesses.
“Today’s recognition is not just a financial award; it is a vote of confidence in your commitment to excellence, quality of service and the advancement of our state’s tourism landscape,” he said.
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Ojoi revealed that the 10 hotels are being closely monitored in line with the grant criteria and minimum requirements of industry standards.
He said the package that started in the south, benefiting 10 hoteliers, and is now in effect in the central part, will be repeated in the northern senatorial districts before returning to the south.
The director who disclosed the governor’s promise to continue the gesture throughout his tenure, commended him for his commitment to fulfilling the promises set out in the “People’s First mantra”.
Prince Ojoi stressed that the award is a tangible testament to the Governor’s commitment to promoting economic growth and empowerment within the state.
Giving the basis for the selection, the Chairman of the Selection Committee, Mr. Ugba Murphy, said: “These 10 exceptional hotels in the Senate District have been carefully selected based on their commendable efforts to stay abreast of licensing requirements and their potential for remarkable growth.”
Presenting the award to some of the beneficiaries, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Elvert Ayambem, said the grant was a welcome development and promised that the Assembly would come up with stringent safety and cleanliness legislation to boost the sector.
He promised that the 10th meeting will collaborate with the Tourism Board and stakeholders to ensure the success of the sector in the state.
The State Commissioner for Tourism, Abubakar Ewa, advised the beneficiaries to make the most of the support and collaborate with the government to continue to strengthen the sector.
In his address, the Chairman of Cross River State Hoteliers Association, Mr. Charles Ogar, thanked the government for the gesture, saying they will constitute a team to monitor and ensure that the funds are wisely utilized for the intended purposes.
In separate interviews, officials of the beneficiary hotels said no government in the state had ever done what Governor Bassey Otu did with the grant, describing the gesture as unprecedented.
They promised to use the grant to bring their facilities up to standard.
