…291 Employees Risk Job Loss
OSAS EMMANUEL
Marriott International has kicked against the rushed closure of Sheraton Abuja Hotel, noting that the 291 employees of the hotel will be affected by the impromptu shut down.
A spokesperson from Marriott International said in statement made available to Africa News Eye that: “The owners of the Sheraton Abuja Hotel have informed us that they intend to close the hotel in a matter of days.
“Whilst we acknowledge that the owners need to carry out significant renovation works at the Hotel, we have objected to the closure on such short notice. We are concerned that the hurried manner of such closure will cause distress to hotel employees, and significant disruption to guests, suppliers and partners.
“After more than 30 years managing this iconic Abuja property, we are now working with the HAPSSSA and NUHPSW unions to support the 291 hotel employees impacted by this rushed closure.”
Recently, 22 Hospitality Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NIPCO Plc, an integrated energy solutions provider, acquired a majority stake in Capital Hotels Plc (CHP), owners of Abuja Sheraton Hotel. They said it was a conscious move to drive its mission to diversify into the hospitality industry.
A statement issued by the spokesman of NIPCO Plc, Alhaji Lawal Taofeek, had quoted the Group Executive Director of the company, Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir, as saying that the new investors were desirous of restoring the hotel to its former glory of being the first-choice luxury hotel in Abuja.
