the Lagos yacht hotel

The Sunborn Yacht Hotel, an onshore hotel facility procured by the Lagos State government in partnership with the private sector, was recently inaugurated at Marina, Lagos. Kunle Awosiyan was part of the crew that sailed to the inauguration. He reports.

IT did not take five minutes to sail from a jetty at Walter Carrington to the Marina . But it took us almost an hour on the high sea before our ferry could hit the yacht.

It was a memorable experience. One had never thought there were potholes on the sea. The ferry had continually hurtled, making the journey a bit fearful but interesting. The tide pushed the boat around on the sea.

The intensity of the sun was high but not really felt due to the heavy breeze of the ocean. One of the crew members had shouted, “Are you all wearing your life jackets?” “Yes’’, everybody had replied simultaneously.

The flying boat that conveyed us to Marina would not have been able to pass through the high sea because of the rush. The water was becoming greener and cleaner. The wave was becoming heavier as the sea spread to no definite boundary.

At 20 nautical miles, the ferry had sailed and we could not see any of the smaller boats anymore. They had all rescinded to a jetty specially built for the tourists, who were mainly the white people. They had all withdrawn to an inlet with no single Nigerian in sight.

Our ferry had passed several of the boats convening just the foreigners. No single Nigerian, rich or poor, old or young had created time to relax in this kind of atmosphere. As a matter of fact, those of us in the ferry were forced to join the crew.

With this scenario, one began to think that life is more than drinking a carton of beer or dancing away at club. It is more than sleeping at every leisure hour. It is neither measured by wealth nor poverty. It is about enjoying the natural creation of God.

While most Nigerians have refused to enjoy the nature God had created for them, foreigners (tourists) do enjoy it, perhaps to improve their health status.

That is why it has become a bit difficult to contest the report of the World Health Organisation(WHO), which puts life expectancy in Nigeria at 45 years. The report shows that life is guaranteed not by how wealthy but how healthy is.

After another hour of sailing on the sea, the crew got back to the Walter Carrington Jetty, from where it moved to Terracotta, a restaurant in Victoria Island, to cool off.

At present, the Sunborn Yacht Hotel has been stationed at Marina as one of the few major tourism destinations in the world. The 105- bedroom, custom built boat hotel had been moored at the Marina waterfront since two weeks ago. It has become an exciting spectacle with many passers-by stopping to catch a glimpse or taking photographs.

But while both the poor and rich Nigerians took photographs, some of the white people who visited the place had begun to make enquiries about how to get a space in the yacht.

Speaking while receiving the floating hotel facility, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-governmental Relations, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, described the transfer of the hotel to Lagos as a landmark achievement of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.

According to him, the hotel was brought to reposition Lagos as a tourism destination.“For Lagos, Africa and indeed the Middle East , this has now become a flagship, a project heralding the dawn of a new era in the Nigerian tourism sector.”

Senator Afikuyomi described the yacht hotel as a delightful addition to the Lagos skyline, which is going to add value by being one of the very few floating hotels in the world and thereby putting Lagos in the league of cities like New York, Barcelona, Paris and Finland, just as it has already put the state ahead of cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, which are all said to be at various stages of setting up similar floating hotels.

To him, the speed and success of the acquisition was a result of the healthy relationship between the Fashola administration and the organised private sector in the state. He said,”This is a fully funded private- sector initiative, which was facilitated by the state government to achieve the set objectives of the administration for the development of tourism in the state.”

He stated that it was the quickest such transaction prosecuted to fruition in less than one year from conception. “This is a credit to the vision and drive of the leadership of Governor Babatunde Fashola and the team spirit that exists in the Lagos State Executive Council”.

In his comments, the Honourable Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, commended the vision of Lagos State Government in embarking on the project saying, “This is a breakthrough for tourism in Nigeria and generally for the whole of Africa, because we were made to understand that this is, in fact, the first of this type of innovation in the hospitality industry in the whole of Africa. History has been made today.Let me use this opportunity to thank His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, for this very innovative and sprinting achievement”.

Dr. Hong further assured that the federal government would support the project, saying“We are very proud of this achievement because it will provide opportunities for so many Nigerians. It will also provide a destination that will power and promote tourism in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. On the part of the Federal Government, we are fully in support of Lagos State and its private sector partners towards realising this very great achievement.

Explaining the degree of involvement of the Federal Government in the project, Dr. Hong said “Though the federal government is not a part of the investment process, we are ready to give more of our support to the management team, Lagos State Government and whoever is involved. Our major excitement at the federal level about this innovation is that more than 400 or 500 Nigerians will have direct employment as a result of this large hotel facility and more than 1000 Nigerians will have direct benefit from purchase and supply.”

The yacht hotel was custom built in 1999 and refitted in the year 2002. It combines contemporary class and comfort, being 18.4m wide, 106.5m in length and 17.6m in height from the sea level. The edifice, with a total of six decks and an interior space of approximately 5000 sq.m, provides a breathtaking ambience for corporate guests, conference delegates, wedding parties and leisure guests to hold their exclusive events. The Lagos yacht hotel presently boasts of facilities such as conference halls, restaurants, meeting rooms, spas, saunas and lounges.

The idea of the acquisition of the Sunborn Yacht Hotel promoted by the Lagos State Government through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), Loneseed Limited, representing Diamond Capital Ltd, financial advisers and lead arrangers, M.I.D.C Ltd and the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, opens a new chapter in the history of tourism development not only in Lagos but in Nigeria as a whole.

The hotel was voted ‘Best Hotel’ in the Food and Drinks Categories in the United Kingdom for 2005 and 2006 respectively.

Concession of Lagos trade fair complex illegal

The concessioning of Lagos International Trade Fair Complex to Aulic Nigeria Limited is in breach of subsisting lease agreements between the management of the complex and business stakeholders, a report of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has said.

The committee, headed by Mr. C.I.D. Maduabum, arrived at the conclusion after its investigations into the protracted dispute between the LITFC Forum of Stakeholders and the Bureau for Public Enterprises over the concessioning of the complex.

A detailed copy of the report, which our correspondent obtained in Abuja on Sunday, showed that the committee completed the investigations and submitted its findings to the House on November 24.

The stakeholders, who petitioned the House on the matter in July, included the Registered Trustees of the Auto-Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association; the Registered Trustees of the Balogun Business Association; and the Registered Trustees of the Association of Progressive Traders.

The committee found out that ASPAMDA and BBA executed renewable leases of 50 years each, which gave them rights to own parts of the complex for the duration of the agreements.

APT had a lease covering 25 years. The three leases, which allowed the stakeholders to “expend substantial monetary sums in developing the complex,” took effect from January 5, 1995.

However, after allegedly developing the leased portions of the complex, the BPE advertised it for sale in 2003.

Part of the report reads, “In response, the Forum indicated its interest to participate in the bidding and paid the mandatory fee of $15, 000.

“To the surprise of the forum, the BPE cancelled the process as advertised after it (forum) had indicated interest and paid the mandatory fee, and purportedly handed over the complex to Aulic Nigeria Limited within a framework that undermines the proprietary interest of the forum in the complex.”

The BPE had, however, argued that the concessioning of the complex to Aulic did not alter the subsisting lease interests of the stakeholders and added that the advertised bid was also inconclusive.

But the committee, which equally received submissions from the former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chief Charles Ugwu; Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry; TEMPO International Co. Nig. Ltd; and the Management Board of LITFC, described the transaction as “unlawful.”

It noted, “The Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board is an establishment of law. Therefore, the purported handover of the management of the complex to Aulic without an amendment of the existing law by an Act of the National Assembly is unlawful.

“Until the Act setting up the board is amended, the board of the LITFC remains the authentic and lawful body entrusted with the general management of the complex and should be restored.

“BPE shall pay back whatever money that TEMPO International Co. Nig. Ltd. (with Central Bank prevailing interest rate) for the bidding of the LITFC as evidence showed that they were not allowed to bid in the final bidding exercise.”

While the committee recommended that the subsisting leases of the petitioners be restored, it directed that “the toll-gates now managed by Aulic should be dismantled forthwith as the petitioners and their customers/visitors are entitled to free and uninhibited access to their leased properties.”

It further recommended that any concessioning arrangement must first pay attention to the interest of all parties, define the role of the Lagos State Government and “determine the management structure of LITFC to secure the interest of the Federal Government during the period of the concession until the property reverts to the federal government.”

BPE and Aulic were also asked to “obey the subsisting order of court of competent jurisdiction which enjoins them not to sell, dispose and interfere whatsoever with the various lease agreements made between the petitioners and the LITFC board until such is vacated and quashed on appeal.”

Arik Commences Lagos-London Route Monday

Arik Air has said it is now set to launch daily non-stop service from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos to London Heathrow Terminal 2, on December 15, 2008.
This will be the first international flight for Arik Air since commencing operations on October 30, 2006.
This is coming as Nigeria and South Africa, in a new bi-lateral air services agreement, increased the frequency of scheduled flights between both countries from four to ten a week, and from two entry points in each case, to boost commerce between both nations.
A statement by Arik air, which acquired 3 brand new Airbus A340-500 long range aircraft, the first of which was recently revealed at a VIP function in Abuja on December 4, 2008, said the airline will not only be the first airline in Nigeria to operate to the UK with a brand new aircraft, it will also be the first airline in Nigeria and the entire African continent to operate this ultra modern long range variant of the Airbus A340 family.
Capable of the flying both transatlantic and transpacific routes non-stop, the A340-500 is one of the quietest, environmentally responsible aircraft in the world which will enable Arik Air to optimize its network expansion and hub status of Lagos in the region. It said the aircraft meets community noise restrictions well below current limits and complies with current and future international emissions standards.
Arik Air Chairman Sir J.I.A.Arumemi Johnson said ‘We are extremely proud and thrilled to announce the launch of our first international service between Lagos and London Heathrow. I believe that this route is underserved and our entry just in time for the holiday season will connect Nigerians in the Diaspora with their friends and families. Over the past many years the socio-economic ties between Nigeria and the UK has strengthened significantly, with not only a growing population of Nigerians in the UK but also the larger West African community. We offer our guests the entire Arik Air network, enabling them to connect on to our London service from across 19 airports in the region. We have selected a very unique product to set new standards in comfort and entertainment and together with our true Nigerian hospitality, we intend to raise the bar on this route."
Arik Air flight W3001 departs Lagos at 12pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, arriving London at 5.30pm; on Thursdays and Sundays, departing Lagos at 1025am and arriving London at 355pm, Tuesdays departing at 920am and arriving London at 250pm and Fridays at 1110am arriving Heathrow at 440pm. Return flight W3002 will depart daily from London Heathrow Terminal 2 at 1005pm arriving Lagos at 530am the next morning.
Meanwhile, Nigeria's Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who disclosed the increased frequency between Nigerian and South Africa, said three Nigerian airlines, Virgin, Arik and Bellview had been okayed to fly the route.
Jonathan also explained that the Commission had made significant progress in Agriculture, Water Resources and Environment, Arts, Culture and Tourism, Health, Education and Sports. Other areas are Standards Organisation, Customs, Investment, avoidance of double taxation, Capital Market Development, as well as Police, Drug Law Enforcement, Defence and Security matters.

Emirates begins 2 daily flights into Lagos February 2009

In response to the demand of its ever increasing passengers in Lagos, Emirates Airlines has announced its second daily flight to Dubai , further bonding the Nigerian route into the airline’s network and broadening the scope for investment between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates .
From February 1, 2009, the airline will fly twice daily from the Murtala Muhammad International Airport Lagos to Dubai, yielding to the request ofcustomers for more frequencies on the Lagos - Dubai route.
The new flight, EK 781, will depart Dubai at 1415Hrs and arrive in Lagos at 1955Hrs. The return flight, EK 782 will depart Lagos at 2135Hrs and arrive in Dubai at 0735Hrs, the following day.
The existing flight EK783 schedule will also be amended to depart Dubai at 0735Hrs and arrive Lagos at 1315Hrs. The return flight EK784 will consequently depart at 1500Hrs and arrive in Dubai at 0100Hrs the following day.
Hafeez Azeem, Emirates regional manager for West Africa, said “Emirates will continue offering its passengers the best travel experience on the market and what is particularly pleasing is that they will now have even more convenient access to numerous Emirates’ destinations around the world.”

Kenya Airways Increases Weekly Flights to Ten From Lagos

Kenya Airways Country Manager, Ferdinand Amanor, who disclosed this in a statement, said the airline's weekly frequencies has shot up from seven.

According to him, the increase is part of plans to attract fresh customers and make life more comfortable for the already existing ones.

He said the essence of the development by the airline was to make things easier for its customers in Nigeria and beyond to get to the Middle East, Asia and the rest of Africa.

It would be recalled that the airline have in the past introduced several promos aimed at encouraging its frequent fliers and have vowed to introduce more in the nearest future.

Emirates to Double Flights between Dubai and Lagos

Emirates is to double its services between Dubai and Lagos. The airline will increase its seven-times-a-week Lagos service to twice daily from 1 February 2009, further supporting trade in Nigeria and expanding channels of investment between the west African nation, the UAE and beyond.
The new flight, EK 781, will depart Dubai at 14:15 and arrive in Lagos at 19:55. The return flight, EK 782 will depart Lagos at 21:35 and arrive in Dubai at 07:35 the following day.
Under the revised schedule, the existing flight, EK783, will be brought forward slightly to depart Dubai at 07:35 and arrive in Lagos at the earlier time of 13:15, providing additional scope for afternoon business appointments. The return flight, EK784, will depart at 15:00 and arrive in Dubai at 01:00 the following day.
Salem Obaidalla, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Africa, West Asia & Indian Ocean, said, "This is an exciting new development for Emirates in Africa, just four years after we started services to Lagos. Africa is one of the world's trading powerhouses and Emirates is supporting that commercial activity. We are seeing clear demand for more flights and that is what we are delivering. At the same time, we are improving two-way connectivity between a host of places, particularly Bahrain, Doha, Muscat, the Indian Subcontinent, East Asia and Australasia."
The Lagos route is currently served by a Boeing 777-300ER, offering 12 seats in First Class, 42 in Business and 304 in Economy. The new service will also be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, offering a slightly enhanced capacity of 12 First, 42 Business and 310 Economy Class seats.

Emirates fuels growth between two of the world's fastest growing cities

Emirates is to double its services between two of the fastest growing cities on earth - Dubai and Lagos.

The airline will increase its seven-times-a-week Lagos service to twice daily from February 1st next year, further supporting trade in Nigeria and expanding channels of investment between the west African nation, the UAE and beyond.

The new flight, EK 781, will depart Dubai at 1415hrs and arrive in Lagos at 1955hrs. The return flight, EK 782 will depart Lagos at 2135hrs and arrive in Dubai at 0735hrs the following day.

Under the revised schedule, the existing flight, EK783, will be brought forward slightly to depart Dubai at 0735hrs and arrive in Lagos at the earlier time of 1315hrs, providing additional scope for afternoon business appointments. The return flight, EK784, will depart at 1500hrs and arrive in Dubai at 0100hrs the following day.

Salem Obaidalla, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Africa, West Asia & Indian Ocean, said: 'This is an exciting new development for Emirates in Africa, just four years after we started services to Lagos. Africa is one of the world's trading powerhouses and Emirates is supporting that commercial activity. We are seeing clear demand for more flights and that is what we are delivering. At the same time, we are improving two-way connectivity between a host of places, particularly Bahrain, Doha, Muscat, the Indian Subcontinent, East Asia and Australasia.

The Lagos route is currently served by a Boeing 777-300ER, offering 12 seats in First Class, 42 in Business and 304 in Economy. The aircraft carries the extremely popular in-flight entertainment system, ice - designed to enthral passengers across all cabin classes and make the world seem smaller as time flies by. The new service will also be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, offering a slightly enhanced capacity of 12 First, 42 Business and 310 Economy Class seats.

Mr Obaidalla said:

'With the start of this double daily flight to one of Africa's major freight destinations, we also expect a further increase in cargo trade. Emirates SkyCargo currently serves 15 destinations in Africa and recently strengthened its African footprint with the introduction of freighter services to Lagos. As of February 1st, our cargo capacity will jump from 280 tonnes to 440 tonnes a week.'

Household goods, electronics, mobile phones, computer spare parts and clothing items are among the top commodities carried by SkyCargo into Nigeria, much of which come from India and the Far East. Main exports include Kola Nuts, tropical fish, spare parts and courier traffic, bound for Middle East and Far East markets.

'With the opening of our world leading Emirates Terminal 3, passengers from Africa and elsewhere on the airline's network, have even more reasons to fly in and out of Dubai. The new facility is exceptionally well geared to passengers, especially business travellers, who can be forgiven for thinking that Terminal 3 is a destination in itself,'