Hospitality experts Marriot International has taken over the management of Akwa Ibom government owned Four-Point By Sheraton Hotel at Ikot Ekpene Local Council, after the 146 room facility has been certified ready for use.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, announced this while briefing Government House Correspondents shortly after the State Executive Council meeting yesterday said the development was contained in a report presented to the State Executive Council by the Commissioner of Special Duties, Dr. Bassey Bassey.
“EXCO received a report on the Four Point By Sheraton Hotel at Ikot Ekpene LGA from the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Bassey Bassey intimating that the hotel which was left at 68% completion level in 2015 has now been completed and handed over to Merriott International for test run”.
“Test run of the hotel will soon commence, prior to official commissioning of the facility for use, as all the 146 rooms are ready for use.” Ememobong stated.
Council the commissioner said also gave approval for commencement of work for the construction of a 12 Megawatts Power Distribution Substation at Etim Ekpo Local Council.
This, he explained, has been a critical infrastructure need of the area to boost power supply in Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun, Oruk Anam and Ika Local Councils and their environs.
He pointed out that recent threat of flooding in some areas of the state also received attention of the Council, adding that the Council called for a review of the flood map capacity of the state, directing that all relevant agencies involved in emergency management should be on red alert.
Council Ememobong stated also mandated the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, to start sensitization in rural areas as a step in managing a possible occurrence.
He said that upon receipt of reports by the various Ministries on projects under their portfolio, the Executive Council directed the ministries to expedite work on those projects to catch up with the time frame for their completion and to also beat the continuous eroding value of the nation’s currency.