Cross Rivers Boosts Hospitality Business With N30 Million Grant

By Ayodele Oni

Hospitality Industry in  Cross River State has received a boost as the State  Government has doled out the sum of N10m grant to encourage owners.

For a start, ten hotels in the State central Senatorial District were the beneficiaries.

The State Government had earlier extended same gesture to ten hostels in Southern Senatorial district while those in the Northern Senatorial Zone of the State are waiting for theirs.

The initiative is part of an innovation package by the Cross River State Tourism Bureau tagged “Empowering Hotels, Investing In Excellence, Our Commitment to Sustainable Tourism” aimed at resuscitating the industry.

Presenting the cheques at a ceremony held at the Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, the Managing Director of the Bureau, Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong, explained that the incentive was in confirmation of the unwavering commitment of the Bureau to sustainable tourism and belief in the potential of local businesses.

“Today’s recognition is not merely a financial grant; it’s a vote of confidence in your commitment to excellence, service quality, and the advancement of our State’s tourism landscape.

“The ten hotels will be closely monitored in alignment with the grant criteria and the minimum requirements of industry standards.

“The package which started in the South with 10 hoteliers benefiting and now in the central, will be replicated in northern Senatorial district.

“We commend Governor’s promise to continue the gesture throughout his administration. We commend him for his dedication to fulfilling promises outlined in the “People’s First mantra.

“The award is a tangible demonstration of the governor’s commitment to fostering economic growth and empowerment within the state.”

Stating the basis of the choice,  the chairman of the selection committee, Mr Ugba Murphy said,: “These ten exceptional hotels in the central senatorial district were carefully selected based on their commendable efforts in staying up to date with licensing requirements and their potential for remarkable growth.”

Presenting the cheque to some of the beneficiaries, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, remarked that “The grant is a welcome development and promised that the Assembly will come up with strong legislation on security and cleanliness to boost the sector.

“We in the 10th Assembly will cooperate with the Tourism Bureau and work with stakeholders to ensure the success of the industry in the state.”

On his part, the State Commissioner for Tourism, Abubakar Ewa, advised the beneficiaries to make the most of what they have received and join hands with the government to move the sector from strength to strength.