Today, we are celebrating a significant landmark in our step by step approach towards making our State not just a tourism hub but a preferred tourist and investment destination.
The former Government VIP Chalet has been upgraded and now renamed Jubilee Chalet, Epe. This project commenced in August last year with an objective to deliver a world class hospitality facility to meet the demands of tourists and investors who will be attracted to the Eastern zone of the State.
The transformation that has taken place and being witnessed today is consistent with our plan to fully harness the tourist potentials of Epe and strategically reposition the town to take maximum advantage of the economic benefits from the huge investment activities in and around Lekki Free Trade Zone.
Upon assumption of office, it was clear to our government that most people come to Lagos for business but not for leisure, recreation and relaxation. As a result, one of our key objectives was to make Lagos a tourism and entertainment centre to take advantage of the large numbers of visitors to our State. We decided to take deliberate action to exploit and harness the tourism potentials of Epe, Badagry and Ikorodu.
The Jubilee Chalet to be commissioned today is one of such deliberate actions to promote tourism, leisure and recreation. We have also embarked on an unprecedented construction and upgrading of road projects in Epe and some of the completed road projects were commissioned a couple of weeks ago. The Epe Marina project is on-going and will soon wear a new look.
As we are changing the face of Epe, we are doing the same thing in Badagry in a twin-pronged approach to promote tourism in the State. The Government VIP Chalets in Badagry is currently being rehabilitated and will be commissioned early next year. Work is also going on at the Badagry Marina to prepare it for the investors and tourists the Badagry Deep Sea port will attract.
As a government, we are committed to providing the infrastructure that will support tourism and creating a ready market for hospitality investors to take advantage of. This Jubilee Chalet will be managed professionally by a hospitality services company who will be charged to deliver world-class services and create wealth for the State and all stakeholders.
Apart from enhancing the tourism potential of this part of the State, this facility will provide employment opportunities for different categories of individuals and companies, boost economic activities in the community through increased demand for goods and services as well as generate additional revenue into the State coffers.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Jubilee Chalet and Epe town are ready for you. This facility is not only for tourists but also for corporate institutions looking for a serene location for their retreats and all Nigerians looking for vacation spots within the country. l assure you all that this facility will deliver services that will surpass your expectations and someday be ranked amongst the best hospitality properties in Africa.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is on this note that l declare this facility, Jubilee Chalet, Epe open.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko, lo je wa logun!!!
His Excellency,
Akinwunmi Ambode,
Governor of Lagos State,
Alausa.
6th July, 2017