CHIDA International Hotel is not part of the arrangement by the Federal Government to house persons returning to the country in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Management of the hotel listed as one of the facilities to provide accommodation for evacuated Nigerians from abroad, on Sunday, clarified that it was not part of the arrangement.
Recall that the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ferdinand Nwonye, in Abuja named some hotels; Chida International, Bolingo Hotel, Apo Apartments, Royalty, Belvior and Barcelona Hotels as designated hospitality centres for quarantine purposes.
However, Chida International Hotel stated in a press release sent to Frontline News Online on Sunday, that it is not part of the arrangement due to non-availability of space.
The statement read in part: “It is pertinent to state that at present, Chida International, Abuja is not part of the arrangement to accommodate evacuated Nigerians from abroad, though we were contacted by the ministry but could not proceed with the plan because of non-availability of space.
“At present, we have in-house guests that we had hoped would have checked out due to the easing of the lockdown, but majority who are longstanding clients have indicated their desire to continue to lodge due to our excellent in-house health protocol, therefore, could not proceed with the plan to host those returning to the country..
The hotel further stated that it was willing to partner with the government in other areas in the fight against Covid-19, stressing that as a responsible and patriotic corporate citizen it was mindful of its Corporate and Social Responsibility to country and society.
“We however wish to state that Chida International Hotel has been contributing in the fight against Covid-19 in and around the communities we are located.”
Read the full statement:
Covid-19: CHIDA International NOT AMONGST HOTELS FOR RETURNING NIGERIANS
Our attention has been drawn to various newspaper reports of May 6, 2020, in a press statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which listed Chida International Hotel Abuja as one of the hotels for evacuated Nigerians returning to the country.
While we appreciate the gesture of the Federal Government for trusting our ability to deliver excellent service at this trying period, it is pertinent to state that at present, Chida International, Abuja is not part of the arrangement to accommodate evacuated Nigerians from abroad, though we were contacted by the ministry but could not proceed with the plan because of non-availability of space.
At present, we have in-house guests that we had hoped would have checked out due to the easing of the lockdown, but majority of these, who are longstanding clients, have indicated their desire to continue to lodge with us due to our excellent in-house health protocol, therefore, we could not proceed with the plan to host those returning to the country.
We wish to state that we are committed to the federal government’s Covid-19 efforts and are willing to support this effort in any other way.
Besides, we wish to state that Chida International has been contributing in the fight against Covid-19 in and around the communities we are located.
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