By Praise Chinecherem
The newly elected president of Anambra Hotel Owners Association (ASHOA), Chief Ifeanyi Nwokoye has described the Governor of Anambra state, Prof Chukwuma Soludo as an accomplished achiever with tremendous political sagacity.
Nwokoye said the governor has set a refined and civilized governance template for future governors in the state.
Speaking with journalists in Amawbia on Soludo’s two years in office, Nwokoye said Soludo’s accelerated socioeconomic growth and development in the state for the past two years has given the people cause for celebration.
He said: “Since Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo mounted the saddle of power, Anambra state has been showing signs of becoming a role model in grassroots socioeconomic growth and development.
“Soludo’s short, medium and long term planning geared towards accelerated tempo of socioeconomic growth and development in the state for the past two years, has given the people cause for joy going by the hope that their deep yearnings and aspirations for accelerated development will be fulfilled during his tenure.”
The ASHOA boss also commended Soludo for being appointed by President Tinubu into the National Economic Advisory Council, saying that the appointment is a testament to his sound economic knowledge which he would make available for the repositioning of the country’s deplorable economic situation.
He cited what he described as “Governor Soludo’s superlative and exceptional accomplishments” within two years in office which included the massive thrust in road construction and rehabilitation, employment and revamping the education, health and the agricultural sectors.
On the impact of Soludo’s policy on education, Nwokoye said the free education policy for the primary school to JSS had demonstrated his futuristic prognosis for human capacity building and development.
Reacting to the challenges facing the hospitality industry, ASHOA helmsman said the abject lack of basic amenities and infrastructures like potable water supply, erratic power supply and deplorable access roads to the hotels hamper the smooth running of the hospitality industry which has reduced the profit margin.
He believes that the deplorable situation which led to the inability of many hotel proprietors to provide those essential necessities and basics induced the closure of many hotels.
On the way out of the enormous challenges facing the hospitality industry, Chief Nwokoye suggested that the Governor as a matter of urgency could consider a bailout fund which can be repayable over a period of three to four years to cushion the high cost of diesel and increase in staff salaries and allowances.
