Imo Hoteliers Association has commended Gov. Hope Uzodimma for stemming the tide of illegal taxation in the state.
Chairman of the Association, Mr Chima Chukwunyere, gave the commendation at the inauguration of its newly-elected officials in Owerri on Tuesday.
He thanked the Governor for his prompt intervention which had halted the activities of revenue touts who allegedly connived with some personnel of the judiciary to illegally garnishee bank accounts of hotels.
He, however, decried “the deplorable situation of hotels in the state”, adding that challenges such as poor power supply, high cost of diesel and insecurity had forced some hotels in the state to close down.
He called for urgent government intervention, through roundtable discussions with captains of the industry, as a way to revive and sustain the industry.
“We commend the Governor for tackling the issue of illegal and multiple taxation head-on, so that it has become a thing of the past.
“We, however, call on government to intervene to save the industry as we are currently struggling with challenges of epileptic power supply and high cost of diesel, among others.
“We are the highest employers of labour after the State Government, thus the need to revive the industry so as to save the state’s economy from collapse,” he said.
Speaking, the State’s Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mr Uche Ohia, described hotels as the soul of the hospitality industry in the state.
He noted that a collapse of the industry would inevitably lead to the collapse of the state’s economy, hence the need to protect the industry at all costs.
“We have put measures in place to create community tourism which would enable communities in the state to partner with the government.
“Government will remain firm and resolute in its determination to provide an environment conducive for the operation, promotion and sustenance of the hotel industry in the state.”
Also, President of the Association, Eze Patrick Anyanwu, advised the hoteliers to ensure regular payment of their dues and levies.
He assured the hoteliers that the national body of the association would continue to protect the interests of its members in the event of multiple taxation and illegal levies.