Why we want to sell Edo House in Lagos, by Oshiomhole

EDO State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, said that his administration was selling the Edo State Liaison House “rotting away” in Lagos to enable it develop a proposed five-star hotel or business district designated for Oba Ovonmramwen Square at the city centre.

Carpeting the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for criticising the process of the disposal of the house, Oshiomhole told journalists yesterday at the Government House in Benin City that the process adopted met international best practices.

“We want to build a structure that will add value to the state,” he said. “I think it makes more sense for Edo people to sell the house and bring the investment down to the state and build a five-star hotel. If the money is not enough, we will use it to start the construction and find other resources to complete it or do a PPP.

“Incidentally, during my last visit to Washington about 10 days ago, if everything works fine, I had a deal with the American overseas Nexim Bank to fund the construction of an hotel.

“If that comes to pass, we expect to raise about $250 million and that we will get a Five-Star Marriot Hotel that will forever change and make a bold statement about our tourist potential as a state.