The Abia State Government has announced plans to repurpose the proposed new Government House at Ogurube Layout, Umuahia, into a five-star hotel.
The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, made this revelation during a media tour of the site on Thursday. He also confirmed that a new governor’s office and lodge will be built at the current Government House Complex.
Kanu addressed claims that the existing Government House is a rented property. He dismissed this, saying that the government had lawfully acquired it.
“That property was acquired, duly acquired by the state government. But those people who were in office before now were busy paying themselves rent from government coffers, deceiving the public that they were paying rent for a Government House,” he said.
The commissioner criticized the previous administration, alleging that they falsely claimed the new Government House was completed and commissioned. He described the structure as unsuitable for residential use.
“This place appears inhabitable. There are no wardrobes anywhere. Most of what we saw were just halls, empty halls,” he added.
Structural Concerns and Security Risks
Kanu further pointed out structural defects, questioning the initial design.
“Did anybody see any wardrobe on any of the floors? There were no wardrobes. So this place was never meant to be a residential house,” he noted.
He revealed that only one floor appeared finished, while others remained incomplete.
“And there is only the first floor that appears to have been finished. The rest of the floors were not finished,” he said.
Kanu also accused former commissioner John Okiyi Kalu of spreading misinformation regarding the structure.
“Of course, when Dr. Alex Otti spoke about this Government House a few days ago, John Okiyi went to Arise TV, to, as usual, spew falsehood. Almost everything he said was a lie. Now I brought you people (pressmen) here to see for yourselves and to confirm what Dr. Alex Otti said,” he said.
The commissioner expressed safety concerns about the building.
“You can see a lot of the places were not plastered, and the elevator was not installed. The whole place looks dangerous. If anybody missteps there, you can fall through the place to your death,” he warned.
Call To Keep Faith The Governor
Kanu claimed the previous government rushed the construction for public perception rather than functionality.
“Granted, you will see a few furniture here. But that is as much as you can see. Nothing on the next floor. They misused the resources of the state to put up this gigantic edifice that is meant to achieve nothing, so to speak. This place is not habitable,” he said.
He added that the location of the building poses security risks because it is surrounded by other structures.
Kanu urged Abians to keep supporting Governor Otti, stating that he is committed to responsible governance.
“Otti, being a responsible governor, would not allow waste and would never misuse the resources of Abians,” he declared.
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