As part of it’s constitutional responsibility to carry out oversight functions on Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs), the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Commerce, Industry, Culture and Tourism has visited Ibom Hotels & Golf Resorts to determine the huge investment done by Akwa Ibom State government and to ascertain the level of work done in the facility to reposition it for optimum results.
Leading members of the Committee to Ibom Hotels & Golf Resorts, the Chairman House Committee on Commerce, Industry, Culture and Tourism, Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem applauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for his leadership prowess and business acumen to invest hugely in the tourism sector, expressing optimism that it will boost investment and return on investment will be overwhelming, when managed appropriately.
Hon. Edidem who is representing Itu State Constituency in the State House of Assembly commended the Governor for his industrialization policies and job creation in the state, noting that his Committee decided to visit the hotel on a fact finding mission and on the spot assessment to ascertain the level of work done, managerial approach and possible challenges facing smooth sailing of the recreational facility.
While receiving the Committee members during the visit, Mr. Ronald Stilting who is the General Manager of Ibom Hotels & Golf Resorts thanked the leadership of the 7th Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey.
He therefore commended the Committee for their pro-activeness in discharging their oversight functions.
Mr. Stilting who took over the management of Ibom Hotels & Golf Resorts in 2017 listed some of his achievements to include routine maintenance of facilities, inculcating discipline among staff and maintaining orderliness which has made the hotel more attractive to tourists.
While inspecting facilities in the hotel, the Committee members commended management team for living up to expectations of ensuring that standard is maintained, but proposed for improved maintenance culture.
The Committee also frowned at the manner which some chalets and rooms are being occupied without payment by managerial staff, saying it is a huge waste to the government and occupant should be ready to remit outstandings to the State coffers.
“It is understood that there is a clear logistical challenges, but, I must state here that this committee is not pleased at the manner in which chalets and rooms which would have been use to generate huge revenue to the State Government are economically wasted,” Edidem complained.
Also, a member of the Committee and Member representing Oron/Udung Uko State Constituency in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey probed to know about defective equipment, demanding management to furnish the Committee with detailed information on the state of affairs of Ibom Hotels & Golf Resorts.
Also speaking, Member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Ekpo, requested from the hotel management to know the reason behind temporal breakdown of work.
He expressed displeasure on the profit margin of Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort, saying it is not commensurate with the huge investment by government.
The Committee therefore summoned the management team to appear before the Commiittee at the State House of Assembly Complex today, Wednesday, October 16, 2019 to furnish the Committee with detailed information on running cost and profit margin of the hotel.
Accompanied Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem were: Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko, Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey, Hon. Godwin Ekpo and Hon. Mfon Idung.
By Abigail Isaac
