The Kwara State Government has returned the control and supervision of its flagship hospitality facility, Kwara Hotels, to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology and also cleared the eight months’ arrears owed the workers.

The decision came on the heels of a protest by staff of the hotel on Thursday, accusing Harmony Holdings, its former handler, of grounding the place with a backlog of salaries and neglect.

Following the development, the State Executive Council (SEC) approved that all assets, liabilities, structures, workers and operations of the hotel be taken over by the business ministry.

The SEC’s approval followed deliberations on a memorandum presented by the Commissioner, Mallam Ibrahim Akaje.

The council also directed that the Ministries of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should henceforth make budgetary provisions for the repositioning and rebranding of the hotel.

The council similarly approved that the business ministry should take charge of the Ilorin Cargo Terminal Limited.

City & Crime reports that the four-star Kwara Hotels, established by the administration of the late Brigadier General David Bamigboye, was placed under the Ministry of Commerce and Trade, which recently metamorphosed to the Ministry of Business.

The hotel’s fortunes, however, nosedived over the past decade following the collapse of its facilities amid alleged mismanagement by the previous administration.

Speaking with City & Crime, the Human Resources Manager of the hotel, Mr Salami Moshood, said, “Yes, we have been paid in full, and the other good news is that we have been returned to the ministry.”