The Nigeria Hotel Association, Imo State Chapter, has again passionately pleaded with Governor Hope Uzodimma to rescue the industry from imminent collapse.
Chima Chukwunyere, Managing Director of the Domino Paramount Hotel Owerri, who preferred to be addressed as the Chief Servant of the association, told newsmen in Owerri that the state government, for inexplicable reasons, had reneged on its earlier promise for a joint agreement with his members on the Harmonized Demand Notice.
Apart from the aborted meeting for the harmonized demand notice, Chukwunyere said that the state Internal Revenue Service (IIRS) impunitively raised snares and threatened thunder and brimstone on the industry, which regrettably threatens the comfort relaxation industry with possible extinction.
He said: “The government’s taxation devices have devastated the industry, and their approach and actions have combined to weaken the industry. The consequence is that while some of the hotel owners have sold their hotels, some have leased theirs, just as others have been forced to close down in the guise of renovation.”
Chukwunyere, however, extolled the new Acting Chairman of IIRS, Justice Okoye, for his warm assurance to wipe away the tears of the hoteliers through quick intervention to restore the lost glory of the industry.
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He said that such would be accomplished through a compromise in the area of the harmonized demand notice, which would be acceptable to both the state government and members of the association.
He said: “As a result of this promise, some of the hotels that were on the verge of being sold, leased out, or closed down in the name of renovation now had a change of mind,” he stated.
While assuring Okoye of the continued loyalty and support of his members, Chukwunyere said that the hospitality industry in the state would continue to meet its obligations to members of the public despite the odds.