Hoteliers Lament Over Closure In Ogun, Appeal To Gov. Abiodun For Tax Waiver - EDU-BIZNEWS

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Monday, October 19, 2020

Hoteliers Lament Over Closure In Ogun, Appeal To Gov. Abiodun For Tax Waiver



         Green Legacy and Resort,                       Abeokuta

Hotels operators in Ogun State are now lamenting over the continuous closure of their businesses, asking Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow them to re-open, just as the presidency  over the weekend announced further ease of the COVID-19 Lockdown in Nigeria, particularly on sporting activities.

They are also appealing to the governor for a 100 percent tax waiver, to enable them stabilize their operations, having been out of the hospitality and tourism business since the second quarter of the year till date.

The governor had ordered the total lockdown of the state early in April this year, including the hotels and other relaxation or recreation centres, to curtail the spread of Coronavirus pandemic in the state .

Schools and Religion centres were later allowed to re-open for activities on September 21, by the State Government while  hotels and night clubs are still shutdown as the COVID-19 curve gradually flattened in the country. 

Otunba Segun Timi, President Hoteliers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State



President of the Hoteliers Association of Nigeria in Ogun State, Otunba Segun Timi in an exclusive chat with Edu-Biznews in Abeokuta, described the closure as worrisome saying "some of the hotels owners had laid off some of their staff to reduce operational cost since they are not  in business." 

"The closure is affecting our us adversely, as business is at very low ebb, since end of March, we have not made kobo, people now lodge in hotels in the neigbouring Lagos and Oyo States and later find their way into Ogun State", he lamented.

The association's president accompanied by his deputy , Alhaji Olajide Sodunke, disclosed to Edu-Biznews that letters had been written to the Commissioners of the State Ministry of Health, as well as that of Culture and Tourism and Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment to allow hotels to return to business.




Conference Hotel, Abeokuta


The State Government according to the Hoteliers , has not responded to the letters since last months, inspite of the association top officials visit to the three Commissioners.

"We want government to officially announce Re-opening of hotels for business, for us to  operate optimally and not under fear "the association stated.

Timi who operates "De-Busafy Anchor Hotel" in Ijebuode, added that "Hoteliers are seriously finding it very difficult to even pay the 50percent tax rebate offered by the State Government, because they are not in business, we are appealing to the governor for 100 percent waiver of the tax for this year".

The Hoteliers  are also asking the government to harmonize its various charges and taxes, to make it  easy for them to pay at once to relevant revenue agency and avoid multiple payments.

The association however commended the Dapo Abiodun's administration for creating friendly business environment for hospitality business in the state.



 


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