PUBLIC-PRIVATE SECTOR SYNERGY NECESSARY FOR BOOM IN TOURISM SECTOR - OBONG DANIEL UDOHNelson NseAbasi
The Chairman of the Nigerian Hotels Association (NHA), Akwa Ibom State Branch, Obong Daniel Udoh, has called for stronger collaboration between government establishments and private-sector operators to accelerate the growth of tourism and hospitality in the state.
He made the call when he featured on the weekly tourism programme, Tourism Hotspot, powered by Experience Ibom and aired on Comfort 95.1 FM every Thursday, as guest on the Thursday, November 12 edition of the show,he highlighted the need for government support and create an enabling business environment to solidit Akwa Ibom's position as Nigeria's leading tourism destination.
According to him, addressing challenges such as poor electricity supply, multiple taxation and limited access to funding would significantly improve the operating environment for hotels and other hospitality businesses. He specifically advocated a reduction in multiple taxation and the establishment of a hospitality bank to provide financial grants and loans to operators in the sector.
“The hotel and hospitality industry should be supported by government in our effort to make Akwa Ibom stand out as the No. 1 tourist destination in Nigeria,” Udoh stated, stressing that the private sector has a critical role to play in complementing government efforts towards tourism development.
The hospitality entrepreneur also emphasised the importance of professional associations and industry networks in promoting cooperation, sharing experiences and advancing common interests. He disclosed that Akwa Ibom State has the first-ever Coffee Club in Nigeria to receive corporate registration from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), identifying Ceedapeg Hotels Coffee Club, where he serves as President, as an example of an organised platform for industry engagement.
Udoh's position as Chairman of the NHA in Akwa Ibom State and President of Ceedapeg Hotels Coffee Club places him among industry stakeholders contributing to conversations on the development of hospitality businesses and the broader tourism ecosystem. He noted that hotels occupy a strategic position in the tourism value chain, providing accommodation for tourists, business travellers and conference participants, while stimulating employment, investment and enterprise development.
He further observed that Akwa Ibom's rich cultural heritage, natural attractions, culinary traditions and growing tourism profile present enormous opportunities for economic development. However, he maintained that unlocking this potential requires deliberate investment in infrastructure, improved service delivery, professional standards and sustained cooperation between public institutions and private-sector players.
Obong Udoh's call reinforces the growing recognition that tourism development cannot be driven by government or the private sector in isolation. As such, a functional public-private partnership remains essential to building a competitive hospitality industry, attracting investment, creating employment and strengthening Akwa Ibom's position as a preferred destination for tourism and business.
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