Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Concessionaires of some popular relaxation resorts and Hospitality outfits in Enugu Metropolis have cried out over demolitions of their investments worth several millions of naira.
Enugu metropolis is among few other cities in the country, which boasts of a number of scenic recreation parks, green, open spaces for events, sports, and family relaxation.
Some of these parks include Edward Nnaji, Onwudiwe, Eze, Ngwo, and Ejindu parks, among others.
However, these parks were concessioned to private developers and tourism/hospitality managers by past administrations as a means of revenue generation and job creation.
These recreation parks were lawfully leased to private operators by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, through the Enugu State Tourism Board.
The Enugu State Tourism Board came into being on August 20th, 2013, via an Act of the same name, which was passed by the Enugu State House of Assembly.
The Tourism Board office is statutorily administered by a General Manager/CEO, and has a Board, under a part-time Chairman and other members, who are mandated to meet not less than thrice, and not more than six times in a year, except in a case of emergency.
Since then, things had gone on smoothly between the Ministry, the Board, and concessionaires of parks.
One of the operators, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that things have been going on smoothly until this year, 2024, when things took an abrupt turn for the worse, for the Concessionaires at least.
The source said that things began to change as soon as the present administration ably led by Dr Peter Mbah took over and appointed a new General Manager/CEO for the board.
Presently, parts of Ejindu and Eze parks have been taken over leaving just a little space for the lawful concession-holders, while Edward Nnaji park has been reportedly taken over completely.
At Ejindu park, the GM/CEO allegedly forcefully evicted the private security guards posted there by the lawful Concessionaire, which led to vandalism of building materials already acquired and stored there.
In the case of Eze park, which already had recorded more than seventy percent of development, including a newly-built standard five-a-side football pitch; a table tennis arena; a security house, a four-toilet unit; a Games House and a snooker house, the sadness was palpable, as those structures have all been brought down.
According to one of the park owners: “These acts have sent jitters down the collective spine of those businesspeople, who have invested hundreds of millions of Naira on the development, administration and management of these parks, all of them being employers of labour.
“These acts have certainly escalated anxiety and stress within their lives, with the attendant health risks. In fact, a concession-holder was allegedly nearly hospitalised when he received the information about the demolition.”
It would be recalled that, following his earlier unscheduled visits to the parks, Governor Peter Mbah had gone public, on X, formerly known as Twitter, and on other platforms, saying that his administration would assist to upgrade recreational facilities in Enugu metropolis.
“This was widely seen as a laudable idea which was warmly welcomed by all stakeholders, including the concessionaires, already battling to survive in the present harsh economic climate.
“However, the sudden demolition and ruining of valuable personal citizens’ investments, valued in excess of hundreds of millions of Naira, all without any notice and without compensation runs contrary to the genuine intention of the governor,” he said.
A reliable source confirmed that the concession-holders were fully in support of His Excellency’s developmental initiatives as some of them are PDP card carrying members, who worked for the party’s success.
In their lamentations, one of the Concessionaires has drawn the attention of His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, to look into the situation and call the tourism board management to order.
He said: “This is a clarion call to the supervisory body of the tourism board, namely the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, ably led by the proactive Dame Ugochi Madueke; and the people-oriented Governor of Enugu State, H.E. Dr. Barr. Peter Mbah, to use their good offices to ensure that justice is not only done, but must be seen to be done, in this matter.
“Also, as lawful concession-holders, we demand that the government upholds the terms of the existing MoUs, which guarantees holders the right of first refusal, and a joint meeting with the officials and contractors, so as to be carried along.”
