Skip to main content

Tourism Ministry commences recertification of hotels, tourist facilities

 

 ...To close facilities in breach of statutory obligations



                           Mazi Ohia



Imo State Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has began the recertification of tourism facilities and establishments with an inspection visit to Rento Hotel and Suites, Owerri, Thursday.


Speaking during the visit, the Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mazi Uche Ohia, PhD, said: "The objective of the recertification exercise is to verify the registration, operations and compliance of hotels and other facilities in the tourism and hospitality industry with existing laws and regulations and to ensure that all registered tourism establishments observe minimum standards and maintain best industry practices."


Mazi Ohia, pointed out that the recertification exercise is mandatory and warned that any tourism facility or establishment that fails to undergo the recertification exercise will be sealed off by Government.


In a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of Rento Hotel and Suites, Chief Chika Emenike, the Commissioner said: "We are here specifically on an official visit to inspect the facilities you have and to ensure that you comply with standards. Government appreciates the investment you made and I am satisfied with what I have seen; Rento is an exemplary facility". 


He urged the hotel management not to regard government as an enemy when there is drive for payment of statutory revenue and advised that hotel proprietors should call on the office to know their obligations and fulfill them."


He gave an assurance that Government will continue to provide infrastructure and security to ensure conducive business environment in the state.


Responding, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rento Hotel and Suites, Chief Chika Emenike, noted that as a law abiding investor, he will meet all statutory obligations adding that Government should be socially oriented in its revenue generation efforts.


"Let your drive not be to make money alone but to enforce standards and make things work for the benefit of the people", he admonished


Chief Emenike, who said he believes in excellence and would be part of any endeavour to make Imo better lamented the distortions of Owerri Master Plan. He disclosed that his investments were in the East and has over 3000 employees. The renowned industrialist charged the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to ensure that Imo State does not lose its leadership position in hospitality and tourism in South East Nigeria.


The team inspected facilities in the hotel including the kitchen, VIP bar, the fitness gym, rooms, barbing salon, and reception hall, among others, and returned an "A" rating for the facilities and services rendered at the hotel.


In the Commissioner's team were Hon Bobby Michaels Uchechukwu, Special Adviser to Imo State Governor on Creative Arts; Sir T.U.C Nwokonkwo, Permanent Secretary; Heads of Departments of the Ministry; and the Acting General Manager of Imo State Tourism Board, among other staff of the Ministry.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

War at NASS amid Akapbio impeachment as DSS takes over

                              Akpabio The premises of the national assembly appears like a war zone this morning as men of the Department of State Security (DSS) have taken over amidst speculations of an impeachment move against Sen. Akpabio  Operatives of the DSS have taken control of the national assembly amid allegations of a potential impeachment threat against Senate President, Goodswill Akpabio. Speculations have swirled that some aggrieved northern senators, allegedly dissatisfied with President Bola Tinubu, are reportedly reviving an earlier attempt to remove Akpabio from office. Globally, parliaments have dedicated internal security personnel responsible for maintaining order and safety within and around the premises of parliament. Other security agencies attached to the parliament are present to ensure the safety of lives and property in the event of any security breach or threats that might disrupt the proceedings of lawmakers and staff, particularly when internal security i
Post a Comment
Read more

No sit-at-home in South-East on Tuesday – Ekpa insists

 (By thenewsguru.com) The Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, Simon Ekpa, has clarified that there will be no sit-at-home on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, in the Southeast region. In a statement issued Monday through his official Twitter handle, Ekpa emphasized that only Monday’s sit-at-home was observed to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and to push for the delegitimization of Nigeria’s authority in the Biafran territory. At CHISCO TRANSPORT, every journey is safe  Ekpa made the clarification in response to circulating claims suggesting that a sit-at-home would also occur on Tuesday. He reiterated that no such directive has been issued for that day. He further noted that he would address Biafrans live on his platform to explain the decision. “Ekpa has cleared the air on the rumored sit-at-home, and he promised to go live on X Space to inform Biafrans that there is no sit-at-home tomorrow,” he said. It is note
Post a Comment
Read more

United States grand jury indicts Nigerian Catholic priest on three felony sexual assault charges

  Anthony Odiong is accused of sexual assault by at least eight women whom the priest had been counseling Ramon Antonio Vargas The criminal case that authorities are building against a Roman Catholic priest accused of preying on women whom he met while working in south-east Louisiana and Texas is progressing, with a grand jury in the latter state indicting him on three felony sexual assault charges. Anthony Odiong, 55, faces two counts of second-degree sexual assault as well as one of first-degree sexual assault in the charges handed up against him recently in the McLennan county, Texas, state court. The charges against Odiong – who was first arrested in July – involve two women. He could receive up to life imprisonment if convicted of the first-degree charge, a stiffer penalty that stems from the fact that the alleged victim in the case was a woman whom Odiong was prohibited from “marrying or purporting to marry” under Texas law. The second-degree counts each carry up to 20 years in p
Post a Comment
Read more