Edo State deputy governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa has tasked workers at the ongoing Radisson Hotel construction to ensure strict adherence to safety and environmental standards.
He said the warning become necessary as part of effort to avoid casualty at the site of the flagship hospitality project expected to redefine the state’s tourism and entertainment landscape.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, Idahosa, who led a government delegation on an inspection tour of the five-storey luxury hotel, expressed dismay over certain lapses observed during the visit.
He also challenged the contractors to ensure the best standard and quality materials is used for the project.
He emphasized that the state government’s intention was not to witch-hunt the contractors but to ensure the project meets both Radisson’s global benchmarks and the Edo State Government’s quality standards.
He reaffirmed that government agencies would maintain close oversight to ensure full compliance with building, safety, and environmental regulations.
“We will not compromise on standards. Radisson Benin must meet the expectations of the brand and the people of Edo State.
“Our goal is simple, Edo State deserves the best,” Idahosa declared. “We want a facility that will attract visitors from around the world and make our state the hospitality hub of Nigeria,” he stated.
During the visit, the Deputy Governor conducted an on-the-spot SWOT analysis of the project, examining facilities such as the water reservoir, power plant, and sample rooms.
He raised concern about the clarity of documentation surrounding the project’s acquisition and the roles of previous vendors and consultants.
He appealed for calm among stakeholders and residents, urging patience as the state awaits the outcome of the legislative probe.
Idahosa said that Governor Monday Okpebholo had forwarded relevant documents to the Edo State House of Assembly for investigation into the acquisition process.
“Once the House concludes its findings, we will act accordingly to ensure transparency and accountability,” he assured.
Frustrated by what he described as “vague answers” from contractors about the project’s completion timeline, Idahosa pressed for clarity on when the hotel would finally be
opened to the public.
“Edo people deserve to know when this investment will start yielding value,” he stated.
Also speaking during the inspection, Mr. Igabali Darlington Imoesili, Managing Director of the Edo State Development and Building Control Agency, flagged inconsistencies in the facility’s documentation, including conflicting figures on the number of rooms and deviations from approved plans.
“We have records indicating 170 rooms, the site engineer says 169, and the project manager says 178. These discrepancies raise serious concerns,” Imoesili noted.
He added that his office would demand all approved documents for verification.
The hotel’s resident architect, Olumide Taiwo, who conducted the team around the site, assured the delegation that the firm was working closely with the Radisson brand to maintain its global quality and safety standards.
