By Mike Adeyemi
The total overhauling of the Kwara Hotel by the state government billed to commence soon, would cost N1bn, Pilot Business has learnt.
The Marketing Manager of the hotel, Mr. Amusa Kolawole, who disclosed this during a chat with this medium on Monday, added that plans have been concluded for the concessioning of the hospitality outfit.
Amusa further said that the state government would embark on total renovation of the hotel, which would cost about NIbn, saying further that the concession would be done thereafter.
“Arrangement has been concluded for the renovation of the hotel, but what caused the delay was the request for last year report, which the management has since presented to the state government. So, the hotel management is still waiting for the Kwara State Government to begin the general overhauling of the hotel and this may cost the state government up to N1 billion. After the renovation, the hotel will be concessioned,” he explained.
The manager said the effort is aimed at upgrading status of the hospitality outfit by making it a five star hotel and increasing its revenue generating capacity.
He further disclosed that Kwara Hotel, which is presently being managed by Harmony Holdings Limited, may be leased to ‘Home Tell Hospitality Company,’ adding that management of the company had recently carried out evaluation and assessment on the hotel.
According to him, the concession is a step towards making the state owned hospitality outfit a five star hotel and increasing the revenue generating capacity.
On performance in the last financial year, Amusa said the hotel was able to meet its target, adding that it recorded robust profit in the last quarter of 2017.
He, however said Ariya Garden, which is one of the attractions of the hotel performed abysmally in the outgone year as the management was unable to meet its target.
“The former handler of the garden performed below expectation as what we expected from him in terms of revenue was not met, as a result, the management of the Hotel deem it fit to revoke the contract.
“Presently, a new firm has taken over Ariya Garden, though it is still under probation. The usual activities are in top gear at the garden,” stating that the management is doing everything in its capacity to add value to the hotel.
