Enugu State to Revitalize Hotel Presidential, Nigergas Company Limited as Part of Economic Growth Strategy

In a move to boost the economy and revitalize state assets, the Enugu State Government, led by Governor Peter Mbah, has awarded a contract to revamp Hotel Presidential, a prominent landmark in the state’s capital. The announcement follows a State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held over the weekend, with officials detailing the plan to rehabilitate and transform the once-iconic hotel into a vibrant hub for tourism, hospitality, and job creation.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Aka Eze Aka, and the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, briefed reporters on the decision to award the contract. They emphasized that the initiative aligns with Governor Mbah’s commitment to converting dormant state assets into productive ventures. Hotel Presidential, built in 1963 by the late premier of the defunct Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara, has been abandoned for years, leading to its deterioration. Its revival is expected to generate economic value, attract investments, and create employment opportunities for the state’s youth.

“It is with great joy that I make this announcement because the hotel has been abandoned and has gone moribund over the past years. However, bringing it back to life will not only put our state on the world map again, it will equally create an economic value chain, market, tourism, and employment for our youths,” said Dame Ugochi Madueke.

Additionally, the state government is finalizing an agreement to revitalize Nigergas Company Limited, another dormant state-owned enterprise. This development is part of a broader strategy to rejuvenate state assets, with the goal of positioning Enugu as a leader in industrial production and medical oxygen supply in the South East region.

Mr. Aka noted that the approval to revamp Nigergas followed a rigorous evaluation of several business proposals, ensuring that the selected plan offers a strong business case and profitability. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Enugu State Investment Development Authority, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, explained that the demand for medical oxygen and industrial gas in Nigeria far exceeds the supply, making the revitalization of Nigergas a critical step in meeting the country’s needs.

“The ‘re-engineering, refurbishment, and subsequent commissioning of Nigergas is a deliberate step by the Governor Mbah Administration to provide the much-needed medical oxygen and industrial gas for the South East and the entire country because the country is hugely underserved,” said Dr. Ogbu-Nwobodo.

He further revealed that the project would create over a thousand jobs and that the state government is partnering with a reliable private sector entity to ensure successful implementation. The project is one of several initiatives aimed at reviving state-owned enterprises, including Niger Steel Ltd., Sunrise Flour Mills, and the aluminum smelting company at Ohebe Dim.

These developments signal the Enugu State Government’s commitment to revitalizing its economy and generating new opportunities for its citizens. With these projects on track, Enugu is poised to become a major hub for tourism, industrial production, and economic growth in the state.