By Saidu Idris
365Daily – Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has been urged by a good governance group to reopen the ‘Four Point By Sheraton Hotel’, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, as a mark of honour for his predecessor in office, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The hotel has remained shut in the past six years after it was completed and commissioned by the previous government.
The group, Ibom Initiative For Good Governance And Progress (IIFGGP), gave this charge in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Akparawa Udeme Matthew, on Thursday, December 9, 2021.
Matthew asked the Governor to use the 59th birthday celebration of the former Governor Akpabio, who brought him to political limelight by sponsoring his governorship ambition, to reopen the hotel for proper business.
The statement read: “Let me, on behalf of our members, congratulate the incumbent Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on his 59th birthday celebration today. We pray for long life and good health in the years to come because he still has a lot to offer to Akwa Ibom people, Niger Delta Region and Nigeria as a whole.
“We also appreciate the effort of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, for developing the state since he took over the mantle of leadership from his predecessor.
“However, we are saddened by the continued closure of the Four Point by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene, over six years after it was commissioned by your predecessor, Godswill Akpabio, at an event you attended as the then Governor-elect.
“We, therefore, appeal to the Governor to reopen the hotel in honour of Senator Akpabio, who is celebrating his 59th birthday today in the state and the fact that he sacrificed a lot for him to be on that seat today.”