Severe windstorm visited angst on Ibom ICON Hotels and Golf Course, Uyo, pulling down about 100 trees and blocking some footpaths and Right Of Way.
Worst hit of the unfortunate incident which occurred on the evening of Wednesday, May 1, 2024, is the golf course where the ferocious windstorm uprooted some trees and battered some branches.
The hotel premises and the golf looks like a war-torn area as fallen trees spread across different corners waiting for sawing to ease access to some places by users and visitors alike.
Keen observers think that havocs wrecked by the windstorm could pose serious threat to the aesthetics appeal, climate regulation and erosion control of the hotel’s ambience known for serenity.
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Confirming the incident to journalists, Mr. Emmanuel Ekong, the Chief Executive Officer of Equatorial Parks and Premises Ltd – Maintainers of Ibom Golf Course, said, “We had a very unfortunate natural disaster on Wednesday evening in the Hotel and Golf Course. A very strong wind blew over the area and brought down about 100 trees.”
According to Mr. Ekong, “We are almost overwhelmed by the extent of work required to clear the mess but we are on it.”
It was also gathered that despite the fact that some of the trees fell on roofs and others on right of ways, no injuries or loss of life was recorded.
Straightnews gathered that more tree cutting machines, finances and manpower will be required for sawing and disposal of the trees.
Recall that the ex-Governor Victor Attah commenced building of the the hotel in 2007 to provide services for a five-star hospitality for entrepreneurs and other visitors to the oil-rich state.
Recall that initially known as Le Meridien Ibom Hotels & Golf Resort, the hotel’s name was changed to Ibom ICON Hotel & Golf Resort in 2020, though the management has been sacked.
At the moment, the hotel is being managed by the state Commissioner of Culture and Tourism.