NHA bemoans lack of govt support, multiple taxation

The Nigeria Hotel Association (NHA) has lamented the lack of support from the Nigerian government, saying its members face multiple taxation, among other challenges.

National President of the association, His Highness Eze Dr. Patrick C. Anyanwu stated this on Tuesday while briefing journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat in Bauchi.

“Uptill today, our members are suffering multiple taxations. Government should do something about it. My members are bitterly complaining,” Dr. Anyanwu said.

He noted that the hotel industry plays a vital role in Nigeria’s economy through job creation, revenue generation, and accommodating visitors.

He said 95% of hotels in every state belong to NHA members, who face challenges including lack of government support, especially during COVID-19 tough times.

“We demand policies encouraging growth, sustainability, and expansion, not those creating more burdens,” the NHA President stated.

Dr. Anyanwu appreciated the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Economy for intervening on NIHOTOUR’s plan to register NHA members, describing the minister’s decision to suspend the exercise as a huge relief.

NIHOTOUR had planned to register and train hotel personnel, a duty he said belongs to the Nigeria Tourism and Development Authority (NTDA).

The NHA called on members to ignore anyone collecting money under the suspended NIHOTOUR directive, praising the minister for promising further stakeholder talks for a fair way forward.

Dr. Anyanwu thanked the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) President Alhaji Dr. Badaki Aliyu for support.

Dr. Anyanwu who conceded that the NHA supports training that is aimed at raising industry standards, stressed that the initiatives must be transparent with proper consultation benefiting members.

He said future actions by agencies must involve NHA leadership – nationally with the president and executive, states with chairmen, and locally with local leaders.

He appreciated the Senate Committee on Tourism Chairman’s assurance to push laws protecting hoteliers’ rights, emphasizing that Partnership between the National Assembly, Ministry, and stakeholders is key to building a strong tourism and hospitality sector to compete globally.

Dr. Anyanwu stated that the NIHOTOUR fee collection suspension remains in force.