Lagos to acquire N4bn boat hotel

Kunle Awosiyan, Lagos - 25.02.2008

Lagos State government has concluded plans to buy a boat worth over N4 billion.

This was contained in a statement issued and made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Sunday by the state Ministry of Tourism and Inter-governmental Relations.

Signed by its Chief Strategist (Media), Mr. Israel Opayemi, the ministry said Governor Babatunde Fashola secured the funding support of one of Nigeria ’s leading investment banks, Diamond Capital Ltd, on Wednesday 20 February 2008, to officially finalise the process of acquiring the world’s first boat hotel, the Sunborn Yacht Hotel.

Opayemi said the cost of acquisition, transportation and up-grade of the hospitality facility has been put at about E25 million when delivered by the third quarter of the year 2008.

According to him, the 105 luxury suites hotel was fitted with such “breathtaking facilities as two exquisite Royal Suites with private sauna, separate bedroom and a living room, terrace balcony over looking the water in 58 rooms, a central air-conditioning system for all the rooms and public places.

“It is fully equipped with five deck restaurant with kitchen and cocktail bar for 100 people, a Yacht Club Lobby bar for about 70 people, another upper deck Banquet Hall capable of seating over 200 people, two inter-connected Conference Rooms amongst others,” he said.

He also said the deal was initiated by the present administration through the Ministry of Tourism and Inter-governmental Relations and supported by one of Nigeria ’s leading investment banking institutions, Diamond Capital Ltd.