...as commissioner debunks rumoured sale, says hotel to be revamped

The Enugu state government has denied stories making the rounds that part of the Presidential hotel premises had been parcelated and sold to private developers who have begun clearing of the area sold last week.

The state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Barr Ugochi Madueke, made the denial while unveiling an art gallery, the Kachi James art gallery in Enugu at the weekend.

She said, "The Presidential hotel is not for sale. It is going to be revamped in no distant time as it is undergoing total reconstruction".

The Commissioner who represented Governor Peter Mbah at the event, further noted that "If you noticed, you will see that recently the hotel Presidential was cleared, all the bushes, trees, escetera.

"Have you passed through there? You will see that it is not what it used to be. We are working seriously on Presidential Hotel and very soon, you will see that work will commence there in earnest. I can tell you authoritatively that before the next 6 months you will see progresses of works there and even at the abandoned international conference centre".

In terms of boosting the economy through tourism, the Commissioner said, "Government is doing a whole lot. Like we always say in this dispensation, this is business unusual as the government is doing a lot about tourism and about the ministry of culture and tourism

"We have the art gallery which is coming up soon, we are going to have a film village in this Enugu. We are going to have a museum

"In the next 6 months a lot of new things will come, like we need our own Enugu state museum. Already we have found a space for that at the old house of assembly complex where presently the ministry of finance is using part of it

"Like I said before, we are going to have a film village in Enugu. I have met with several indigenous Enugu actors. I have also met with the guild, the actors guild of Nigeria Enugu state branch and very soon we are going to pay a courtesy visit to His Excellency. Even this morning I had a meeting with the Chairman, Actors Guild Enugu, Brown Eneh, where they narrated all their problems which include accomodations and security".

She, however, expressed optimism that despite the fact that actors had left the state for Asaba and Benin they would do everything to bring them back to Enugu, the homeland of Nollywood.

"So as part of the government, and as a representative of government, I have assured them that we are going to work with relevant agencies to provide them with security. I have also discussed with His Excellency already about how to give them accommodations in any of the government lodgements which will be part of our support to them and we will have a meeting with all the hotel owners in Enugu so that they can subsidize hotel bills for them". Madueke said.

Meanwhile, the Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial Zone, Engr Osita Ngwu, expressed delight at what he saw at the unveiling of the art gallery.

"I’m very happy with what I saw here today. Kachi just showed the substance she is made of by bringing this gallery to Enugu. It is a private initiative and I commend it completely.

"We can see what the Igbos call "Aku ruo Uno" . So she understands it is good to build something in your place to show where you come from. I hope that this gallery is going to motivate more youths to make a living from arts. So I thank Kachi for bringing this initiative, and my prayer is for it to move from here to a bigger facility,” Ngwu noted.

The senator who also observed that arts appeared to have been neglected, said he had spoken with the Director General of Nigeria Museums and Monuments about the state of Enugu museum and got assurances that the museum would be resuscitated.

 "Sometime about two weeks ago, I had a meeting with the DG of Nigeria Museums and Monuments and I asked him clearly what was going on with Enugu museum and he explained to me that they were working to bring it back to what it's supposed to be,” Engr Ngwu further added.

Earlier, the founder of the art gallery and organiser of the event, Kachi Aghasili Ikwuegbu, a United States based legal practitioner, said the unveiling promised an unforgettable night as there will be art exhibitions, auctions, live art performances.

"Kachi James Gallery will feature artworks and cutting-edge digital art exhibition, showcasing the works of local artists

"Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy cultural and futuristic art that redefines the boundary of artistic expression

"The event will also have live performances that weave together tradition and innovation as renowned dancers will be on stage, bringing art to life through captivating movement as art is more purposeful with some energy flowing through the veins,” Kachi added.