Folarin Johnson
Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism has made it known that the ongoing enforcement of hospitality and tourism licensing and regulation law is an exercise that must be done if stakeholders want government to meet the socio-economic needs of the people.
This was made known to the leadership of the Ekiti State branch of Beer Sellers’ Association of Nigeria during their meeting with the Ministry on Wednesday.
Welcoming the representatives of the Association to the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Bosede Adaran commended them for heeding the call of the Ministry to come for dialogue on the best approach that can ease their compliance with the lawful requirement for formal registration with the Ministry. She explained that Bars, Beer parlours, lounges and hotels etc fall under the hospitality and tourism sector. Therefore all outlets must be duly registered in other to strengthen security as well as enable the Ministry have accurate information about the association.
While thanking God and appreciating the Ministry for inviting the Association for an interaction, the PRO of the Association, Prince SMO Alele, highlighted the various challenges Beer Sellers in Ekiti State are facing. According to him, there is a burden of multiple taxation placed on members of the Association by various agencies of government.
He lamented the non-recovery of their business from the effect of covid-19, and called for urgent intervention .
The Director of Tourism and Hospitality, Prince Adebanji Adelusi while responding to the various challenges said to be facing the Association,explained that the expectation of people from government is very high hence the imperative to pay taxes where and when necessary. He however corroborated the earlier submission of the Permanent Secretary that revenue mobilization for government is not the only purpose for the enforcement of the law. He said ensuring adequate well-being and security of lives and property within the State is premier and forms one of the objectives behind the exercise. He said having appropriate data about members of the Association is crucial to government aspiration for a well secured State. He went ahead to read out the fee to be paid by various stakeholders within the sector.
While requesting the Ministry to give the Association time to report the outcome of the meeting to the general congress of members, Mr Alele explained that the sector still suffers from its loss to the covid-19 pandemic and the recent withdrawal of cash from circulation. He however pledged the cooperation of the Association with the Ministry to ensure appropriate data collation of members.
Ekiti Tourism & Hospitality News 