Group Elevates Public Engagement on Kwara Hotel Upgrading

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

A leading pro-democracy group in Kwara State, Kwara Must Change, has concluded arrangement to organise a debate for students in the three senatorial districts of the state to garner inputs  on how to solve a governance equation on the ongoing upgrade of Kwara Hotel to five star hotel.

The group, however, said governance should not be left for a few politicians and other personalities who may have their own agenda, instead, it should involve all other stakeholders in order to bring good governance to the people of the state.

The upgrade of the hotel has generated heated exchange in the state.

A statement issued in Ilorin yesterday  signed by the Global Director of the group, Mr. Razaq Hamzat, raised multiple questions for mathematical determination on the issue of the state-owned hotel. The group, however, said any student that can provide the correct answer will be rewarded with N50,000 cash gift.

The group noted that debate on governance should not be left for a few politicians and public personalities who may have their own agenda, it should involve all concerned stakeholders, especially the students, which it believes can make better judgment on governance issues if given the right information.

Providing background to the question, the group explained that: “Six years ago, Akwa Ibom State Government built a 143 rooms three star hotel in Uyo for N25 billion.

“In Oyo State, 87 rooms premier hotel is being upgraded for N20 billion.

“If 172 rooms Kwara Hotel is valued at N5.4 billion two years ago and the hotel is to be upgraded to five star with N17.8 billion in 2024, considering the 29 percent inflation rate in Nigeria today, the students should determine if the proposed cost of upgrading Kwara Hotel to five star hotel is expensive or cheap.”

 It also wants the students to determine what the valuation of Kwara Hotel would be after the hotel is fully upgraded in 2025.

In its second question, Kwara Must Change said when 20 percent averagely rated Kwara Hotel is functional, it generates N50 million per month and N600million per year.

“If upgraded to five star and the hotel is functional at its 100 percent capacity, how long will it take the hotel to generate the N17.8billion used in upgrading it.

“The competition is generating exciting debate in Kwara State, as students are making attempts to solve the equation,”

Kwara Must Change approach has also introduced a different twist to the debate, giving more context to the issue to enrich public conversation.