Akwa Ibom, Hilton Sign MOU For Uyo Hilton Garden
Akwa Ibom Government and Hilton Worldwide Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the management of Uyo Hilton Garden.
Akwa Ibom Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio Monday in Uyo signed for the State Government while Mr. Michael Cooper, Vice President, Development, Hilton Worldwide Group, Sub-Saharan Africa signed for the group.
Speaking, Mr. Cooper said he was delighted to sign the management agreement of the hotel with the state government which would be a model in Africa.
Cooper, accompanied by Louis Misford in-charge of Development and Technical Drawings, Mark Martin Volick in-charge of Specification and Arc. Paul Ladiga, Lead Architect of the group, hinted that Hilton Group has 3,999 hotels worldwide with Uyo Hilton Gardens making up 4,000, assuring to keep to the terms of agreement.
Chief Akpabio said he was happy to personally undertake the signing of the agreement, which according to him, was a symbolic opportunity opened for Hilton Group in the Gulf of Guinea.
Akpabio observed that Hilton Group is a brand well known to all worldwide and has not suffered any business loss before, saying ”This is happening in Uyo and in our time. It marks a major step forward in our effort to bring about uncommon transformation in our dear state and also bring about transformation in Nigeria. We believe that this hotel would boost tourism in the Gulf of Guinea and would add to the transformation potentials highlighted by Mr. President”.
He assured the Vice President that the hotel might be one of the most profitable hotels because Uyo is a small, virgin capital that has become a conference destination for organisations in Nigeria since, according to him, last year, more than 450,000 people visited Uyo through Akwa Ibom International Airport, stating ”With the completion of Theme and Dry Park, Shopping Mall, International Conference Centre and Cineplex in the hotel, the partnership would be mutually beneficial to both parties.
Government is ready to put in more resources to ensure the hotel attains an international standard which you are known for”.
The Governor hinted that Federal Government has approved extension of railway to Uyo while recently, the Secretary to the State Government and Special Adviser on Technical Matters went on road show overseas to to source for prospective investors for the building of Ibaka Deep Seaport which the Presidency had approved as a free trade zone.