The management of one of the hotels designated as accommodation for evacuated Nigerians from abroad in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic has denied being part of the arrangement.
Last week, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ferdinand Nwonye, in Abuja named some hotels; Chida International, Bolingo, Apo Apartments, Royalty, Belvior and Barcelona Hotels as designated accommodations for quarantine purposes.
However, on Sunday, the management of Chida International Hotel Abuja said it is not part of the arrangement due to non-availability of space.
“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,” the statement read.
According to the hotel’s management, “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 entity it was mindful of its corporate and social responsibility to country and society.
“We however wish to state that Chida International 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.
