By Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing rehabilitation of the historic Hill Station Hotel, Plateau Hotel, and the Rwang Pam Township Stadium in Jos.
The governor stated this on Thursday shortly after inspecting the facilities, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to reviving critical tourism and sports infrastructure as part of efforts to reposition the state’s economy.
Governor Mutfwang described the revival of Plateau Hotel and Hill Station Hotel as a major milestone, noting that the facilities were once among Nigeria’s leading hospitality destinations before years of neglect.
According to him, both hotels had remained closed for nearly a decade before his administration commenced efforts to restore their former glory.
“The Plateau Hotel and Hill Station Hotel were once flagship hotels in Nigeria, and when we came on board, they had been under lock and key for close to 10 years.
“I’m glad and excited that today I see light at the end of the tunnel. Serious revival work is going on, preserving history as well as creating the future,” he said.
The governor disclosed that the first phase of the redevelopment of the hotels is expected to be completed and commissioned on October 1 through a public-private partnership arrangement.
He said standard hospitality infrastructure is essential for tourism development, adding that the projects would serve as a major boost to Plateau State’s tourism sector.
“You can’t do tourism without standard hospitality infrastructure. I’m confident that this will be a great addition to the tourism infrastructure we need to put in place,” Mutfwang stated.
On the Rwang Pam Township Stadium, the governor said funding would not be a challenge because the facility remains a priority project of his administration.
However, he urged contractors to accelerate work while maintaining quality standards.
The stadium project, which is currently about 60 percent complete, is expected to be handed over in September.
The administration aims to upgrade the facility to meet CAF and FIFA standards, enabling Plateau-based football clubs to host league matches and allowing Jos to welcome international fixtures again.
Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Sylvanus Dongte, explained that the stadium renovation had faced some delays due to challenges encountered during construction.
He said the initial May completion date was shifted to August, with a realistic handover now expected in September.
According to him, the stadium is being remodelled to a 12,500-capacity facility, with construction supervised daily to ensure compliance with international standards.
He added that engineers and architects had been invited to conduct integrity tests to guarantee the durability of the structure.
“We are on site daily to ensure that specifications are met. The structure will stand the test of time,” he said.
Meanwhile, the concessionaire for Plateau Hotel, Mr. Kudla Satumari Haske, who is the CEO of Avia Global and President of Plateau Hospitality and Management Services, said the project had transformed from a renovation into almost a complete reconstruction.
Haske explained that his company took over the facility about 18 months ago and had rebuilt major sections of the property.
“What started as a renovation turned into almost a full reconstruction. We essentially started from scratch on most of it,” he said.
He disclosed that major reconstruction had been completed on the main buildings, restaurants, and administrative block, while the first phase would cover parts of the heritage site, amphitheatre, rock garden, and several guest rooms.
Other facilities under construction include a standard swimming pool and three event and relaxation centres overlooking the city from the hills.
Haske said the project had already generated significant interest from individuals and organisations seeking reservations and event venues.
He commended Governor Mutfwang’s efforts in reviving tourism, agriculture, mining, and aviation sectors, describing him as a “hands-on and futuristic leader.”
Some residents who visited the sites expressed excitement over the return of development activities, recalling that the two hotels were once major hospitality landmarks in Nigeria.
Governor Mutfwang said the projects form part of a wider economic strategy aimed at reducing dependence on federal allocation and creating sustainable growth opportunities for Plateau State.
