…Laud His Tourism Vision Drive
The Ekiti State Hoteliers’ Association has assured Governor John Kayode Fayemi of the willingness and readiness of its members to pay tax and other legal levies to the state regularly, promptly and as when due, but called for harmonization of multiple taxes being imposed on their members.
The Chairman of Ekiti State Hoteliers’ Association, Chief Samuel Korode, gave this assurance during a meeting of the association held at Queens Court Hotel and Suites, Ado – Ekiti, the state capital, and was attended by the Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to Governor Fayemi on Tourism Development, Mr Wale Ojo – Lanre yesterday.
Lauding Governor Fayemi for his keen interest and commitment to the development of the tourism sector of the state via the initiation of sustainable tourism policies and vision and the appointment of seasoned human beings, who know their onions to man the tourism sector,
Chief Korode also commended Governor Fayemi for deeming it right to extend the COVID -19 palliatives to members of the association without being prompted by hues and cries from his members.
He described Fayemi as a caring governor, who appreciates the suffering and sacrifice made by his members during the lockdown months.
He said, “We are happy that Governor Fayemi is not just talking tourism as a policy, but acting tourism in his deeds and acts by the appointment of Mr Wale Ojo – Lanre, who is diligently serving as a strong a bridge between tourism stakeholders in Ekiti – State and the government.
“Governor Fayemi is taking the government to the people by the frequent interaction of his aides with tourism stakeholders and making the stakeholders having a sense of belonging and relevance.
“Thus we too have decided not only to support his government, but also do the expected needful from us.”
Chief Korode said that members of the association are responsible and patriotic business-minded people, who understand that taxes and rates are necessary obligatory rites to be observed by individuals in the society for the smoothening and lubrication of the financial machinery of the government.
He added, “We are ready to pay tax to the state. We shall pay tax to the state. Our arguments and contentions are that we are being saddled with multiple taxes and rates. Our anger is about too many agencies harassing us daily for multi – various taxes and levies.
“Our displeasure is the modus operandi of these agencies when they approach us for these taxes, with the threat of closing down our business premises without a decent approach to the issue. We all know that it is not in the behavioural patterns of Governor Fayemi to inflict unwarranted pains and anguish on the people. And this he has displayed through the engagement of tourism stakeholders through his aides.”
Reinforcing the Chairman, Chief Olatunji Akomolafe, and President, Cultural Centre Hotels, called for the harmonization of the tax regime in the state since the amount being paid is going into the purse of the same government.
Commending members of the association for their maturity and approach to issues, the SSA on Tourism Development, Mr Ojo – Lanre, assured that Governor Fayemi has a lot to offer the members via manpower development, infrastructural enhancement and creating conducive environment for tourism to thrive.
He informed that the government will sustain and constantly facilitate interactive platforms for tourism stakeholders in Ekiti State, as the members of the association are billed to hold another interactive session with the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Prof Rasaki Ojo Bakare soonest.
Mr Ojo – Lanre also assured Ekiti hoteliers that “Governor Fayemi will do everything humanly positively possible at seeing that your business grows. We are very fortunate to have a tourism-friendly governor in the person of Dr John Kayode Fayemi, who is committed to the planting of a vibrant and blossoming tourism sector in Ekiti State.”
