By Adeyinka Adeniran
In line with the commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde to expand the economy of Oyo State through tourism and hospitality, the state government has expressed its readiness to clamp down on illegal and unregistered hotels and hospitality businesses in the state.
Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, made this known at a press conference held at the Conference Room of the Ministry, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, yesterday.
According to him, the Ministry will work with registered hospitality business owners such as hoteliers and security agencies to rid the state of illegal and unregistered hotels, hospitality establishments and tour agencies.
He explained that the effort is geared towards improving the state’s internally generated revenue and reducing crimes associated with the tourism and hospitality sector.
Olatunbosun, who noted that there has been an influx of businesses into Oyo State due to Governor Makinde’s infrastructure development drive and the security architecture he put in place in the state, said the government will not allow some elements to game the system.
He announced that the clamp down process will begin next week with the creation of awareness and sensitization across all geopolitical zones of the state, after which enforcement will follow immediately, with serious penalties for offenders.
He said: “At the commencement of the second term administration of Governor Makinde, it was explicitly stated that the economy of the state would be driven by tourism for sustainable development.
“This was sequel to the provision of all necessary infrastructure and facilities during the Omituntun 1.0. What that implies is that this administration has laid a solid foundation for accelerated development. That is what has made tourism thrive in Oyo State.
“The roads we have constructed to link all the tourism corridors together, the inter-towns and intra-town roads are also dualised and rehabilitated to ease movement. Security agencies are well-funded and supported with the procurement of patrol vans and complemented with the massive recruitment of able-bodied men and women into the Oyo State Amotekun.
“This has made Oyo State to be among the most secured and peaceful states in Nigeria. There is also a great improvement in environmental sanitation. Governor Makinde succeeded in doing all of these for the state because he believes that tourism must thrive in Oyo State.
“Apart from these, we revived night businesses in Oyo State through the Light-up Oyo. You will recollect that there was nothing like night business before this administration came in. It was very difficult even to drive at night. So, this government has revived night business in the state.
“Nobody would like to come to a place that is not safe. So, because of the commitment of the governor, the state has been rated as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.
“The state government adopted strategies to generate traffic to the state among which are hosting of various festivals and programmes. Iyake festival at Ado Awaye, World Twins Festival at Igbo-Ora, World Sango Festival at Oyo, and Ogbomoso Carnival among others.
“Consequently, the inflow of many people into the state since the inauguration of the second term of the governor has been of a high magnitude. The survey conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Budget and Planning and Management Information Sector, revealed that most hotels in the state are completely booked and occupied every Thursday evening till Monday morning.
“The survey also indicated that there is an astronomical increase in the number of nightclubs, event centres and other hospitality ventures in the state.
“So, capturing those who have yet to register into our tax net will increase our IGR as a state and make us have a safer and saner environment. To this end, the Oyo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in conjunction with the members of the Hoteliers Association Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, has completed all arrangements to embark on sensitization and general awareness on night clubs, event centres and other similar hospitality centres within the state.
“The Hoteliers Association has expressed the readiness to collaborate with us to bring sanity into the sector. They are very committed and want to appreciate them for aligning with our vision as a state.”
The Commissioner also noted that the constant evasion of tax and the failure of the establishments to provide adequate data have continued to affect the government, hindering effective planning and making it difficult for security agencies to function optimally due to lack of adequate information.
Also speaking at the press conference, the chairman of the Hoteliers Association in Oyo State, Otunba Ayodele Ogundele, called on hotel owners to cooperate with the state government in a bid to ensure the safety of citizens and hospitality businesses in the state.
He also maintained that the move will bring about proper dissemination of information, urging hoteliers to upgrade the level of staff and uphold professionalism that ensures proper verification and accountability from all visitors to their establishments.
