By Newspot Nigeria News Desk
Aba, Abia State – The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD Nigeria), a leading civil society and public accountability organization, has called for full transparency and public disclosure in the ongoing redevelopment of the Enyimba International Hotel in Aba, describing the project as a major turning point for tourism, economic revival, and hospitality growth in Abia State.
The Abia State Government had earlier announced that the hotel, long abandoned for over a decade, would be revitalized through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, with international hotel brand Radisson Blu initially linked to the redevelopment plan. However, recent reports suggest the possible involvement of new investment partners, prompting calls for clarity on the partnership structure, cost framework, and contractual terms.
In a press statement issued on Monday, the Executive Director of FENRAD, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, commended Governor Alex Otti for prioritizing the revival of a landmark public asset but emphasized that accountability and open governance must guide the multi-million-dollar project.
FENRAD highlighted several key concerns requiring urgent clarification, including:
- The precise structure of the PPP arrangement and roles of all private sector partners
- A clearly published contract sum, procurement process details, and competitive bidding records
- Public release of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or concession agreements
- Clarification on whether the hotel redevelopment and International Conference Centre are integrated under one project or funded separately
- Assurance of compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements and labor/community standards
According to FENRAD, transparency in such a flagship project will not only strengthen public trust but also reinforce Abia’s credibility before investors, development institutions, and stakeholders committed to the state’s economic renaissance.
“The Enyimba International Hotel is a historical symbol of Aba’s commercial identity and should not become another opaque government venture,”
FENRAD said.
The group vowed to continue monitoring the project through the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, the Public Procurement Act, and Abia Fiscal Responsibility laws.
PRESS RELEASE
10th November 2025
FENRAD Calls for Full Transparency and Accountability in the Enyimba Hotels Redevelopment Project: commends Governor Otti for flagship hospitality project
Aba, Abia State –Nigeria
The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD Nigeria), a leading civil society organization in Abia state, has called for transparency and public disclosure surrounding the ongoing redevelopment of the Enyimba International Hotel, Aba, a flagship hospitality project which has been projected by the Abia State Government as a major catalyst for tourism, job creation, and economic rejuvenation in the state.
While FENRAD commends the State Government for taking steps to revive the long-abandoned Enyimba Hotels and for attracting potential private partners, the Foundation insists that public accountability, due process, and transparency must be the pillars upon which such a multi-million-dollar public-private partnership (PPP) is built.
Key Concerns Raised;
Following media reports and public commentary, including analysis by concerned stakeholders and citizens, FENRAD notes with concern several grey areas requiring urgent clarification:
1. Unclear Partnership Structure:
The State Government had earlier announced a partnership with Radisson Blu for the reconstruction and management of the Enyimba Hotel. Recent reports, however, suggest the possible involvement of other firms or investors. There is currently no public record detailing the precise structure of this partnership, its tenure, or the financial obligations of each party.
2. Undefined Cost and Procurement Process:
Public information places the project cost between $25 million and $50 million, an unusually wide range that contradicts basic principles of public procurement and fiscal accountability. FENRAD calls on the State Government to publish the actual contract sum, the procurement method adopted, and the evaluation process that led to the selection of the contractor(s) or concessionaire(s).
3. Absence of Published Contract Terms:
FENRAD notes that no official copy or summary of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or concession agreement has been made public. Citizens have a right to know the duration, management structure, equity participation, and revenue-sharing formula for the project, in line with open governance principles.
4. Segmentation of the Project (Hotel and International Conference Centre):
FENRAD observes that the hotel redevelopment appears to be progressing separately from the proposed International Conference Centre (ICC), raising questions about whether both are integrated under one contract or treated as distinct capital projects. This fragmentation, if not transparently managed, could complicate project monitoring and fiscal accountability.
5. Need for Environmental and Social Accountability:
As an environmental rights advocacy body, FENRAD reminds the government and its partners that the redevelopment must comply with all Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) protocols, labour laws, and community engagement standards, particularly given the project’s location within Aba’s densely populated commercial axis.
Our Position and Demands
FENRAD therefore calls on the Abia State Government to:
- Publish the full details of the Enyimba Hotel redevelopment contract, including cost, funding structure, and partnership terms.
- Disclose the procurement process and whether the project was competitively bid.
- Clarify the role of all partners and their equity/management stakes.
- Provide periodic public progress reports and completion timelines.
- Ensure environmental compliance and local content participation.
Transparency Builds Trust
The Enyimba Hotel represents more than a physical structure; it is a symbol of Aba’s commercial heritage and renewed investor confidence in Abia State.
Signed:
Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor
Executive Director
FENRAD Nigeria
[email protected] | www.fenrad.org.ng
Tel: 08033383708, 07062949232
This report was published by Newspot Nigeria.
