Harbouring Criminals? Hotel Association Threatens Shutdown Of Unregistered Outlets

(National Executives And State Chairmen. Photo by Peoples Gazette)

The Nigeria Hotel Association (NHA) has issued a stern nationwide directive, warning its members that any establishment found hosting criminals or "Yahoo Yahoo" boys will be held legally accountable. The Nigeria Hotel Association has issued a statewide warning to its members not to host criminals in their establishments.

During a meeting with national executives and state chairmen on Thursday in Owerri, Imo State, the association's national president, Patrick Anyanwu, issued the warning to reporters. He threatened to take action against any hotelier who was discovered to be harboring criminals, including suspected in online fraud.

"Any hotelier who is found to be harboring criminals or 'Yahoo Yahoo' boys will be held accountable." According to him, the group supports a standard operating system that complies with industry regulations.

Anyanwu urged members to comply with regulations guiding the hospitality industry, noting that adherence to standards would help protect the sector.

“The tourism and hospitality sector remains one of the most important drivers of economic growth in Nigeria. “The hotels and hospitality sector in Nigeria is one of the largest employers of labour in the country today.

“We create jobs and accommodate visitors from all over the world,” he added. He also called on hotel owners and operators to register with the association at both the state and national levels.

As part of efforts to regulate the sector, the president of the NHA stated that unregistered hotels may be subject to penalties, including potential closure. When the time comes to make this work, we will employ security. Hotels that choose not to register with the organization will soon be subject to fines.

In an attempt to purify the sector, some hotels can potentially face closure. He continued, "We cannot continue to permit any unregistered hotel to operate and harm our association's reputation." 

Anyanwu, however, called on governments at all levels to support the association, citing the sector’s role in job creation and revenue generation.

He urged authorities to provide interventions such as grants and strengthen collaboration with the association. The NHA president also said the association would resist any form of harassment or intimidation of its members by agencies.

He had already praised the Imo State Government for their efforts in promoting tourism and supporting hospitality businesses. The meeting brought together national leaders and state chairmen of the association from the six geopolitical zones to discuss issues affecting the hospitality sector.