Kwara Hotel strong on ROI, job creation – Gov AbdulRazaq’s Aide

Senior Special Assistant to Kwara Governor on Communications Ibraheem Abdullateef has described as unpatriotic the coordinated campaign to stampede the state government to back down on the ongoing remodeling of the state’s iconic facility, Kwara Hotel.

The media aide said remodelling of the legacy facility is a strategic investment with huge benefits for the economic growth and development of the state.

Speaking on Network Kwara programme live on Kwara TV on Wednesday, Abdullateef explained that successive administrations under the opposition party ran the hotel aground and lacked the moral right to heckle the administration in its efforts to revamp the facility in the interest of the state and people.

“Opposition to the remodelling work on Kwara Hotel has been in two folds. On the one hand, we had those who genuinely wanted to be informed about the project, scope of work, and capacity for returns on investment. We appreciate them. Government has been employing all avenues for engagement on radio, television, and other platforms including doing a document on the FAQs for their information and understanding. On the other hand, we have a partisan group of people who are invested in the failure of the project to milk it for political purposes,” Abdullateef said.

“The leaders of PDP that failed to make any meaningful investment in Kwara Hotel while at the helms of affairs, siphoned its revenues through a third party, and ran it aground have no moral rights to give any lecture on probity. We have no use for their advice as we are not planning on how to mismanage and plunder the assets of the state.

“The insinuations that the administration wants to waste funds on the project is false and unpatriotic. This is a multi-billion naira strategic investment in hospitality and tourism that will open up Kwara and make it a go-to place in North Central and Nigeria. It should be noted PDP unpatriotically opposes this effort for political reasons.

“Government is remodelling Kwara Hotel to preserve a great heritage of the people. The project has capacity to recoup its investment in less than 10 years. It will also create hundreds of jobs as well as stimulate the other levers of the economy in the state. Alongside other investment in infrastructure, ICT and digital economy, Kwara is eyeing a multi- million dollar market in hospitality, conferencing, and tech investment. The people and state will reap bountifully from these long-term investments.”

Abdullateef said Governor AbdulRazaq’s shrewd investment and sterling achievements in health, education, water, roads, and social investment programmes are evident he is not a leader given to profligacy. He added that the Governor remains unwavering in his quest to improve the quality of life of the citizens.

Abdullateef also dismissed insinuations that the 17.8bn contract figure was bogus for the remodelling work, adding that it is the industry standard for the size of the project.

“We are aware of the concerns by some people that the contract sum was bogus and expensive. This was influenced by the scope of work, taste and quality of delivery expected. The truth is exquisite 5-star project works are expensive everywhere. This is not different. However, it is not an annual work. The total remodelling has to be done for good to meet its financial and social projections. There is hardly any of its size and status that has been done for less than that sum in Nigeria. The government has chosen to commit to excellence to cut out waste and bad job.”

He said Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has a track record of prudence and accountability, urging Kwarans to continue to support him to remodel and reposition the hotel, and save it from the claws of selfish businessmen who want to annex it for private benefits.