Carnival Calabar 2025: Gov Otu Splashes Several Millions of Naira As Grants to Hotels, Restaurants, Bars in C'River

By Judex OKORO

The Managing Director of the Cross River State Tourism Bureau, Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong, 

has disclosed that Governor Bassey Otu has disbursed several millions of Naira as grants to 30 Hotels, 40 restaurants and bars for the Yuletide season.

Epenyong also disclosed that over 4000 bed spaces are fully booked ahead of this year's festivities.

Speaking shortly after Presentation, the MD said: "The grant is to enable the benefitting hospitality outfits to upscale their facilities while preparing to receive the entire world.

"The government desires that you give the best to the world. 20 hotels will each receive one million naira while 30 restaurants will each receive 250, 000 naira", 

"We are giving these grants to enable you to clean up your hotel and prepare to receive the entire world," he stated.

Explaining further, Epenyong said: "As we speak, about 4000 bed spaces including beds and breakfast options are fully booked.

" We are serious, we have 338 hotels and the data. It's not something we speak in the air", he said.

According to him, plans have been concluded to train managers and staff in these facilities to make them abreast of what is expected of them as the state prepares to receive visitors.

He said the initiative is in line with the People's First policy of the Gov. Otu administration and so far over 90 hospitality outfits across the state have benefitted from it.

On his part, Elvert Ayambem, Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, said the grant is an innovation that has come to stay and the present administration is committed to sustaining tourism in the state.

Chief Executive Officer of Silver Maris Hotel, one of the benefitting hotels commended the government for the grant saying it will help in upgrading their facilities.

 THE BEAGLE NEWS