The Abia State Government is set to sign a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Lagos in February for the reconstruction of the Enyimba Hotel and International Conference Center, a project expected to position Aba as a major destination for trade, tourism, and conferences in southeastern Nigeria......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, described the project as a pivotal step towards Aba’s transformation.
“The Enyimba Hotel project, the MOU for that project, will be signed on the 9th of February. There is a signature project facility of that hotel, and that is the International Conference Center. I can assure you that in less than 24 months, that structure will be there for use by the public,” he said.
Elaborating more, the Director General of the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), Uche Ukeje, noted that the project is part of broader efforts to ensure Aba becomes the economic powerhouse of the state and the business hub of southeastern Nigeria.
“The journey towards the 9th of February, you have all followed, because this government is very transparent. We let you know what we want to do; we let you know when we are doing it, and we will let you know when we have done it,” Ukeje stated.
He explained that the government is partnering with an international hotel group, Radisson Blu, to bring the project to fruition, adding that the Enyimba Hotel will include facilities that will position Aba as a preferred destination for conferences and trade shows in the southeast and beyond.
He said that the International Conference Center is expected to feature a main conference hall with a 2,500-seat capacity, two smaller halls accommodating 1,500 and 1,000 people, and a 20,000-square-meter exhibition space designed to host trade fairs and other large-scale events, which doesn’t include the meeting rooms.
Ukeje highlighted Aba’s strategic advantage as a regional hub with access to five airports, including the soon-to-be-completed Abia State Airport, which would ease travel for visitors attending events in the city. He also pointed out that the government is committed to enhancing connectivity within Aba by constructing a new bridge linking Tonimas to Seven Up, allowing easier movement from Ogbor Hill to Ariaria without passing through congested routes.
Responding to questions by Newsmen about recreational facilities, Ukeje revealed plans for a major leisure park in Aba, with construction scheduled to begin in the second quarter of the year.
“There is a project coming up called Aba Leisure Park. At this point, there are at least two or three companies that are being considered for it. Funds for that have already been secured by His Excellency and private investors,” he said.
He also mentioned plans to develop additional green spaces, including a park between Eziukwu Road and the rail track and another one at Pound Road Park.
On the issue of market consolidation, Ukeje admitted it was a delicate matter but assured that the government is working on a plan that would balance urban development with the livelihoods of traders.
“Some of the markets will be moved from where they are to other places. But His Excellency is not the kind of person that will just root people out without considering the social consequences,” he explained, adding that implementation would be done with a human face, and those affected would be compensated.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, further addressed concerns about delays in finalizing the Enyimba Hotel project, explaining that the state’s legal team had to thoroughly review the agreement to ensure it aligns with the state’s interests.
“We’ve had to comb through all the clauses to ensure the terms of the agreement are favourable for Abians. By February 9, we will sign off on that agreement,” he said.