Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has appealed to hotel operators in the state to cooperate with the state government and security agencies by providing necessary information on guests in their respective hotels. Wike said such information would assist security agencies to track down wanted criminals and improve the security of lives and property.
Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt , when he granted audience to the Nigeria Hotel Association, Rivers State chapter, the governor said it would be counter-productive for the hotel operators to hide relevant information from the state government and security agencies.
The governor said: “You must support us to enhance security. You must relay to government and security agencies those who are logding in various hotels. If you allow persons with questionable character to come and lodge in your hotels because of money, you will be at the receiving end when criminals engage in their nefarious activities.” He urged the hotel operators to pay their taxes so that the state government can continue with its infrastructural development projects which will lead to increased patronage for the hotels.
He said: “Your businesses are growing as a result of the several conventions and conferences being attracted to Port Harcourt. This week you will play host to PDP delegates and next week thousands of lawyers will be in the state. All these people will lodge in hotels.” In his remarks, Chairman of the state chapter of the Hotel Association of Nigeria, Mr. Eugene Nwauzi, applauded the state government for creating an enabling environment for hotels to thrive in the state.
