By Martha Agas
Jos – The Plateau Government has signed an MOU with a French company, Kanerkrizo Parks Ltd. to invest N81 million toward the revitalisation of the moribund Plateau Hotel.
Mr Peter Mwankon, the Plateau Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Tuesday.
Mwankon said that the deal for the hotel owned by the state government located in Pankshin was part of efforts by the government to ensure all moribund hotels in the state were operational for tourism,
He said that the overture was in line with government’s commitment and readiness to lease out tourist outlets not properly managed to private investors as it earlier promised when it took over power in 2015.
“The move is also to show government’s commitment to public private partnerships to develop the tourism sector and reposition it as a viable revenue generating source.
“The company will engage professionals to restore the glory of the hotel and satisfy the needs of the clients when work is completed.
“It will also be a source of job creation, especially to the host communities while facilitating more developmental projects,“ he said.
The commissioner said that tourism was a private sector driven venture and stressed that government could not revamp it alone.
He said that leasing moribund hotels marked the beginning of the tourism sector development in the Plateau.
“Plateau is known as a hub for tourism because of its unique weather and culture, thus we must work hard to ensure all its tourism outlets meet the needs of tourists.
“Other outlets available for lease are the Plateau Hotel, the Solomon Lar Amusement Park and Jos Hotel, among others,” he said.
NAN reports that an MOU was signed recently between the Plateau Government and Kanerkrizo Parks Ltd., for 15 years effective from Dec. 1, 2017, for the rehabilitation of the Pankshin Hotel.
He said the areas to be rehabilitated include the main hotel building, three colonial residential quarters, a restaurant, bar, kitchen, and a hill with its walkway.