The Nigerian Hoteliers Association, State of Oyo chapter, has called on the state government to rescue the industry from the multiple prevailing taxes and outrageous bills in the state.
Association president Ayodele Ogundele made the call in Ibadan, while briefing reporters on Monday.
According to Mr. Ogundele, paying multiple taxes and scandalous bills to the state government had worsened his situation.
He said that after managing to survive the challenges of COVID-19, the sector had experienced massive inflation and staff shortages.
Mr. Ogundele expressed his discontent that the industry had experienced a severe downturn due to the global economic situation, following the COVID-19 pandemic.
He added that the latest increase in fuel, diesel and the total lack of electricity supply in the country have also affected their businesses, and now they are on the verge of total collapse.
“Once we asked the Oyo state government to harmonize our bills, we negotiated with them, they gave us the bill in January, February, every year and we paid by July at the latest.
“But, in an attempt to increase revenue, with the creation of the Local Council Development Area (LCDA), we now pay taxes to the state government, the local government and also the LCDA.
“Furthermore, since the last administration we have been paying emissions from generators even from generators that we are not using; making electricity generation an expensive part of our business.
“All hoteliers are currently operating below 50 percent of our capacity due to the cost of electricity generation.
“We are no longer generating enough money to pay and care for our staff and many of them are leaving even when we need them most, because we can no longer pay their salaries.
“We really need government help at this critical time, before our businesses collapse,” he said.
Ogundele said the tourism and hospitality industry is one of the largest employers of labor in the country and should not be allowed to collapse because the sector cannot pay its staff and even make a profit.
“The hospitality industry contributes a lot, especially in the field of job creation; our industry is not the kind that the government should see suffer at all, because it would affect all sectors, including the food sector.
“Tourism is highly dependent on infrastructure development such as health, safety, road construction and others, so the government at all levels should strive to provide a conducive environment for tourism to flourish in the country,” he said. .
Association members present at the briefing included Joseph Emoabino (vice president), Yemisi Bhadmus, Anna Anjorin (welfare officer) and Kunle Adesanya (PRO).
(YAYA)