Obi Promises More Investment In Commerce, Tourism

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State has said his government will no longer look back in its investment in hotels, tourism and commerce.

The governor said this on Tuesday at the inauguration of a shopping mall at the site of the abandoned Ikenga Hotel Royale, Awka, which is the only remaining government monument after several others were burnt down in 2004 during the political crisis in the state.

Obi also laid the foundation of the Lake Hotel and Convention Centre within the capital city.

While inspecting the project site, he said the shopping mall was in response to the yearnings of the people for a befitting shopping arena in the state capital.

At the Agulu site of the Lake Hotel and Convention Centre, the governor said the project was in response to calls since the time of Chief Jim Nwobodo as the state governor for the development of the tourist potential of the lake.

“Many big organisations wanted to hold their annual general meetings in Awka capital territory but were deterred by the absence of befitting hotels and convention centres. With the Onitsha Hotel and Convention Centre going on, as well as the one at Agulu, which we shall start in few days, I can assure you that the state will now have adequate and befitting facilities to hold any type of conference and house those coming from overseas conveniently,” Obi said

The governor said his government did not just wake up to think about the projects but that they were well planned for.

He said, “We have conceived them since and saved enough money to see them through. Just watch and see what will happen.

“Not just these two, we are starting the Governor’s Lodge, as well as legislative and judiciary buildings in a few days. We have the resources to execute them. We have the resources to aggressively execute and complete the many projects, including road projects that we are working on.”