Abia Gov to Convert Govt House into Five-Star Hotel, Acquires Aba Mega Mall
The Abia State Government has announced its decision to transform the Government House built by the previous administration of Okezie Ikpeazu into a five-star hotel, citing its uninhabitable state. Located at Ogurube Layout in Umuahia, the facility was deemed unsafe and unsuitable for official use.
State Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, revealed this during an inspection tour, stating that the building lacks essential features required for a functional Government House. He described the structure as incomplete, with only the first floor partially finished, while other sections remain unplastered and without basic installations like elevators.
“This place was never intended to be a residential facility. Most areas are empty, and the upper floors are completely bare. It’s unsafe—any misstep could lead to a fatal fall,” Kanu said. He accused the previous administration of rushing the project to create a false impression of a functional Government House, wasting state resources in the process.
Meanwhile, Governor Alex Otti’s administration has commenced plans to construct a new, befitting Government House on the site of the former official residence.
In a related development, the state government has fully acquired the long-abandoned Aba Mega Mall, settling all outstanding debts with stakeholders. Governor Otti announced the takeover during a religious event held at the mall’s premises, emphasizing that the acquisition was resolved amicably without force.
“We engaged all parties, cleared their dues, including bank obligations, and the mall is now fully owned by the Abia State Government,” Otti stated. The multimillion-dollar complex, dormant for a decade, will soon be revitalized for commercial use, benefiting the state’s economy.
Otti assured that the mall, situated on a vast land in Osisioma Local Government, would be operational within months, marking another step in his administration’s efforts to optimize underutilized state assets.
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