DAUD OLATUNJI writes on the current state of desolation of what was once the pride of Ogun State, the Gateway Hotel, Ota, owing to a political war among the state’s gladiators
The administration had situated the hotels in the three senatorial districts in the state – Egba, Yewa/Awori and Ijebu. Eight years later, the Ibikunle Amosun administration, which was in the saddle between 2011 and 2019, set up a judicial commission of inquiry to look into the state properties sold or given out as concessions by his predecessor.
A former worker in the hotel, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there was nothing left in the building that could remind anyone of what it used to look like. “Gateway Hotel, Ota, is strategically located on the hilly side of the Ota-Lagos boundary close to the popular Ilo-Awela River,” he explained.
“Services provided during festivals include relaxation, swimming, keep fit and performances by artistes were regular getaway opportunities for corporate and individual guests.“Trading value chain provided for small and big merchants vis-à-vis supply of beverages, farm produce, dry cleaning services and horticulture, among others.”
Isiaka disclosed that due to MIDC’s inability to procure funds for the project, the concessionaire entered into an agreement with Gateway Holdings and ARTEE Industries Limited, the owners and operators of the famous Park ‘n’ Shop brand. “I am proud of the concession process and I can say that anywhere, even when the former governor’s false allegation against me was about this hotel; I was at the EFCC; I went there alone and spent almost a whole day with them; I can stand in front of anybody to say that I am proud of the concession process.
“We don’t know who did that and then the environment, only God knows the number of years that it has been abandoned, has become the dens of hooligans and we learnt that some Hausa/Fulani have started inhabiting the area.”
Truly, All is vanity...
Nothing seams to be working in this state since 1999.
Omo Na ogun go kee gbenga Daniel
Ogun state has got lotta problems Bad roads Bad light Lack of infrastructure Poor school buildings And so on I doubt they have a mega plan which they follow or probably the governors are too lenient in their dealings