The Enugu State Government has said that savings from its adherence to due process in contracting and procurement have enabled the state to save a total of N1.89 billion in the past three years.

The Government said strict monitoring of procurement processes has been a major guiding principle following a determination to extract savings without compromising the quality of jobs the state engages in and to also enable the application of all possible savings to other critical needs of the people of the state.

Addressing the press after the State Executive Council meeting, Friday, the State Commissioner for Information, Ogbuagu Bob Anikwe, said the administration of His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is business-minded and has focused on the extraction of every possible value in all its transactions, especially given the enormous responsibility it has towards the infrastructure revamp of the state.

He reiterated the resolve of the State Government to sustain a regime of responsiveness that will continue to positively impact on the socio-cultural and economic fortunes of the state.

Also speaking after the Council Meeting, the Commissioner for Works, Hon. Greg Nnaji revealed of plans to revisit the International Conference Centre, a legacy project of the past administration.

The International Conference Centre, he revealed, was envisioned to further explore opportunities for global tourism while also being a multiplying enabler for other business clusters in the state.

“Enugu State and its people have earned a reputation as some of the most hospitable people in the world. We are of the belief that when this project is completed, the State, which already boasts of world-class hotels and tourist attractions, will be choice destination for reputable global events and activities,” Hon. Nnaji stated.

He listed a wide range of other projects valued at an estimated total of N942 million, which the Council resolved to undertake in the coming months. These include a N400 million Rural Access and Mobility Project, a World Bank- assisted project designed to connect communities; N250 million for the rehabilitation of roads and another N202 million for a rural access road to connect three communities, namely; Enugu-Eke, Oguiyi Uno and Oma Eke, all in Udi Local Government Area of the State.

While also addressing the press, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon Rita Mba, revealed the determination of the State Government to invest in the upgrade of hospitality facilities in the state as a sure way of attracting investment.

To this end, she revealed that repair works have commenced at the Presidential Hotel Enugu, a heritage project of former Eastern Nigeria that was concessioned without due process by the previous administration in the state.

Recall that the State Government, following a recent court judgment, reclaimed ownership of Presidential Hotel after a lingering court dispute.

Hon. Mba said the Council approved the immediate rehabilitation of some key facilities in the hotel, beginning from the recreational section to bring back some activities in the hotel, expecting total revamp to progress afterwards.

She said the Council also expressed its resolve to lift the popular Nike Lake Hotel and Resorts to a world-class 3-Star hotel and approved the sum of N77 million to improve water supply to the hotel and also add a 500 KVA power generator to boost power supply.

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