Going… Going… Lagos to close 2,500 illegal hotels

The Lagos State Government has threatened to close over 2,500 hotels and restaurants in the state for failing to register their facilities.

Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Disun Holloway, who issued the threat today at the 2014 Ministerial Press Briefing in Ikeja, said out of the over 3,000 hotels and restaurants operating in the state, only 350 had fully registered

Holloway described the situation as unsavoury and unacceptable, saying officials of the ministry would soon be sent out to sanction defaulting hotels and restaurants.

“The law is very clear on this issue. It says hotels, restaurants must register,” he said.

“It has security implications. We need to know where the hotels are located, their numbers, the facilities available in each of the hotels and other important things.

“So far, only 300 hotels out of the 3000 we have identified have registered. We will soon begin to shut defaulting establishments. The law must be complied with.”

Holloway said that the government had commenced the grading and classification of hotels to re-position the hospitality sector and promote standards, with 50 hotels already fully classified, while some others were still undergoing the process of classification. The commissioner also said that government has initiated moves to partner the private sector to establish beach resorts.

He said that one of such, the Ilase Beach Resort located at Takwa Bay and Badagry, will soon become operational in order to enhance the state’s tourism appeal.

“The beach resort will be on a parcel of land measuring 13.4 hectres and located in the Ilashe Peninsular near Badagry. It is believed that the resort will, upon completion, have an international conference centre, a location for domestic workshops and retreats,’’ Holloway said.

The commissioner also added that the various projects under the Badagry Tourism Development Project would be completed he disclosed that some of the projects that have reached over 90 per cent completion stage include a museum at Vlekete Slave Market and the District Officer’s Residence.

He said the delivery of the projects would enhance the tourism development in Badagry and further promote the economy of the ancient city.

The commissioner stated that the government is partnering stakeholders in the creative industry to protect and promote intellectual properties, adding that no fewer than 36 persons have been arrested by the state’s Anti-Piracy Enforcement Team for piracy and other copyright violations.