Soludo Urges Hoteliers to Comply with Rule of Law, Prioritize Security
By Ifeyinwa Ogwo
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has called on hoteliers in the state to operate their businesses in accordance with the law to help eliminate crime and enhance safety. He urged them to be vigilant by ensuring that their facilities are equipped with functional Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems and that guests undergo thorough checks.
The Governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim, made this statement at an interactive summit themed "Addressing Security Issues in Hotels/Hospitality Industry", organized for hotel owners and hospitality businesses at the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) Hall in Government House, Awka.
He remarked, "You are the face of Anambra State, and you should uphold high standards in line with the law to prevent any criminal activities in your establishments. If you see something, say something". Additionally, he advised hoteliers to consider lower room rates on weekends, as is common in Abuja, to attract more visitors to the state.
"Very soon, the Solution Fun City, which will feature a variety of entertainment, leisure, and fun activities, will be commissioned to boost tourism. For the record, the Anambra State government is not trying to drive away traditional worshippers but is working to sanitize the system to discourage those who misuse it for criminal purposes," he added.
The Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji, emphasized that security is critical to tourism, which is why the state government is making significant efforts to ensure that Anambra is safe for people to visit, live, work, and enjoy. "The hospitality industry is essential, and no nation can thrive without it because it is often the first point of contact for visitors".
He also noted that registration and documentation of hospitality businesses are ongoing, and plans are in place to organize a training session to familiarize hoteliers with best practices and help digitalize their operations. "It is our responsibility to regulate the activities of hospitality outfits, so please visit the Ministry for any clarifications you may need".
The Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, informed the hoteliers that Anambra has the best tracking system to locate any criminals, saying that any hotel harboring kidnappers will be shut down and the property confiscated by the government. He also announced that there is a reward of five million naira for credible information regarding the hideouts of hoodlums and kidnappers.
The Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Christian Udechukwu, encouraged hoteliers to train their staff in excellent customer service, noting that the state's ongoing developments would increase their patronage.
Chief Greg Ezeilo, Managing Director of the Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS), advised hoteliers to ensure timely payment of their taxes, as defaulters would face penalties. He mentioned that soon, their payment system would be digitalized to eliminate fake agents.
"We are making plans to introduce an 'E-emblem,' 'E-token,' and unveil 'Operation Zero Cash' to streamline our tax system for compliance. By law, only the AIRS office has the authority to collect revenue at both state and local government levels and to regulate this process," he said.
Commandant Maku Olatunde of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) informed the hoteliers that his command oversees the licensing, monitoring, and training of all private security guards, including those at their facilities, to ensure security standards. He was represented by PRO Okadigbo Edwin, who noted that many private security guards lack the qualifications to carry firearms.
"It is inappropriate for these private security guards to possess firearms without proper training and licensing from us. If your security guards are unlicensed, please come to our office to rectify this and avoid sanctions when we begin enforcement," he urged.
Mr. Daniel Onyeishi, Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), represented by Deputy State Commander, Dr. Nwannennaya Chukwunyere, urged hoteliers to work with the agency to combat drug abuse in the state by reporting any suspicious activities in their hotels to help keep Anambra drug-free.
Representing the Chairman of the Association of Hotel Owners of Anambra State, Chief Ifeanyi Nwokoye, Vice Chairman Mr. Taiwo Ogunshola expressed gratitude to the state government for organizing the interactive summit and for the extensive development happening across the state.
He highlighted several challenges faced by hoteliers, including inconsistent power supply, rising diesel costs, extortion and harassment from fake revenue agents, multiple taxation, and fluctuating commodity prices. He appealed to the state government to subsidize diesel prices to alleviate these challenges.
"We are ready to partner with the state to make it a prosperous homeland. We organize training and seminars for our members regularly to align them with the best practices in the world. There are a lot of hotels in the state but only few are our members," he concluded.
*Ifeyinwa is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State*
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