Nigeria: Lagos State Plans to Sue Illegal Hotel Operators

THE Lagos state government may in matter of weeks institute legal action against hotels operating in the state in breach of the Hotel Licensing law, says the Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-governmental Relations, Mr. Disun Holloway.

Not fewer than 1000 hotels operate in Lagos without obtaining license from the Lagos State Licensing Authority.

According to the data posted on the website of the agency (www.lagosstate.gov.ng), 1328 hotels, event centres, bars and restaurants are yet to comply with the law as opposed 1162 complying. This figure represents more than 50 percent of non-complying tourism establishments domiciled within Lagos.

In correspondence with The Guardian through e-mail, Mr. Holloway said, "the hotel that are failing to comply are in breach of Section 4 of the Hotel Licensing Law (as Amended) 2003 which states that 'No person shall carry on or keep a hotel or tourism establishment in any premises in Lagos State without a license granted by the Authority in respect of that premises'. It should be added that the Law defines the word 'hotel' to include 'any building used as a guest house, inn, lodge, motel, tavern, night club, events centre, fast food outlet, restaurant in the State'. By not complying it means that they are illegal operators.'

Holloway said the Supreme Court ruling on the agency with regulatory power over the hotels operation in 36 states of the federation is "unambiguous," noting that "the registration and licensing of hotels are the responsibilities of the individual states."

With this ruling, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), the tourism arm of the Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation has lost its power to regulate hotels.

The commissioner said since the Supreme Court pronouncement, the ministry has held several meetings with industry leaders and stakeholders and continues to maintain a policy of dialogue rather than other strong-arm tactics.

"Additionally, the Ministry embarked on a campaign awareness drive by implementing series of door-to-door monitoring exercises. We have also recently been invited by the Hotel Association of Nigeria to participate in their forth coming state wide forums which are aimed at fostering communication and raising awareness." He said the ministry would continue with its on-going strategy and show hoteliers the benefits of registration.

"Previously, we initiated legal proceedings against those hotels that were non compliant. That action increased the level of compliance and we intend to recommence legal proceedings against a new set of establishments once the new Legal Year begins in September."

He concluded that the Ministry certainly has the manpower and the resources to effect compliance.

"Experienced professionals head both the Ministry and the Hotel Licensing Authority. Working together with the Ministry staff they have been able to attain a certain level of compliance with the law and going forward will be able to achieve a holistic approach to the greater tourism development issues."

 

Article By : Ajibola Amzat

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Nigeria: Lagos State Plans to Sue Illegal Hotel Operators