By ETIM ETIM
I was at the Velvet Lounge of CEEDAPEG Hotel, Uyo, this afternoon with some friends, drinking and eating, as is our habit. The place has become a favourite hangout to some of us. It is new, beautiful, cozy and comfortable – so far the best in Uyo. Then someone remarked, ‘’Akwa Ibom is steadily emerging as the hospitality capital of the country…have you seen what McCaire is building in Ewet Housing Estate? It is massive, six-floor; 300-room hotel…very massive’’. Out of curiosity, I asked for the address of the new hotel and drove there. Truly, it is a huge investment…unarguably, the biggest privately-owned hotel in the state.
I understand that construction started only six months ago and is scheduled to be commissioned and open for business in December. By that time, the reconstruction works at the government-owned Ibom Tropicana Hotel and the massive renovation of the government-owned Ibom hotel & Golf Resort would also be completed. Also coming on stream next year is the 5,000 Ibom International Convention Centre and a shopping center to complement the ARISE Park that would be commissioned in the next few months.
The commencement of international flights from the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, is an added advantage. Akwa Ibom is already the most preferred destination for conferences, retreats, meeting and other events. Every week, people flock into the state from other parts of the country for these and even social events.
I commend Gov. Eno for vigorously pursuing the completion of all abandoned assets in the tourism ecosystem and I thank our people for creating a peaceful and conducive environment for the growth of tourism in the state.
Rt. Hon Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo (McCaire) is well known for his outstanding empowerment programmes and generosity. We expect that his new hotel will further add to the beauty of Akwa Ibom State.
