Calabar carnival: Cross River Governor Otu gives hotels, restaurants N55m to renovate facilities

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By Akpan David, Calabar

As increasing numbers of visitors arrive Calabar for the ongoing annual Christmas Carnival, Governor Bassey Otu has released over N55 million to enable hoteliers and restaurants operators give facelifts to their facilities.

Managing Director of Cross River State Tourism Board said the reason is to ensure that visitors and guests have appealing and conducive accommodations whilst their in the state.

He disclosed this in an interview with journalists when the beneficiaries received their cheques.

Ojoi lamented that for eight years, previous government denied the tourism sector such support to boost their businesses.

As a result of the denial of funds by former governor  Ben Ayade,  the sector, a major money spinner in the state, suffered setbacks. 

“For eight years or more, tourism sector suffered lack of funding.

“But upon assumption of office a little over a year ago, Governor Bassey Otu  revived the sector by releasing funds to the hospitality industry,  who are a critical stakeholders.

“He first of all released N10m for those in the southern senatorial district. Same was done in the central, and today, being he third batch, the northern district have received theirs.

“This same magnanimity has been extended to bars and restaurants.

“15 restaurants got N500,000 each. So in one and half years, Otu has doled out N55 million to enhance their business and by extension, boost tourism sector”.

Giving insights, Ekpenyong Akiba, Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, noted that the hospitality sub- sector creates job opportunities in the state especially during Yuletide season like now., and  brings economic development to the state which reason the governor was deliberately giving serious attention to it.