The Nigerian Hoteliers Association (NHA) on Tuesday lauded the federal government’s ban on lodging of underage girls in hotels across the country.

The association described this as a step in the right direction.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, on June 8 in Abuja, announced the government’s plan to ban the lodging of underage girls in hotels across the country.

The minister said the ban will take effect from June 20.

Ms Kennedy-Ohanenye cautioned hoteliers nationwide against accommodating underage girls in their facilities, as defaulters will face sanctions.

She mandated them to put up a ‘No Lodging of Underage Girls’ signage outside their facilities.

Eze Patrick Anyanwu, NHA national president, said, “Encouraging underage girls access into hotels is a way of promoting prostitution and must be discouraged.”

Mr Anyanwu said that hoteliers would cooperate with the federal government to implement the ban and ensure full adherence.

“Accommodating underage girls in hotels is not good. We are in support of the federal government’s decision, and I will also seize this opportunity to tell fellow hotel operators to begin to reject the lodging of underage girls even before the implementation begins.

“Lodging underage girls will continue to promote prostitution. These are girls who are supposed to be in school or be positively engaged somewhere. We will make sure we assist the government in implementing this to have a sane society and raise responsible girls,” he said.

Mr Anyanwu noted that the government also needed to investigate other important issues regarding hoteliers’ operations.

He stated, “I urge the federal government to encourage hoteliers by giving out grants, tax exemptions, and waivers, as the case may be. Hoteliers are struggling to remain in business considering the current economic hardship, hike in fuel and diesel prices, and electricity tariffs.”

Also, Jamiu Talabi, president of the Lagos Hoteliers Association, commended the government’s decision.

Mr Talabi said that LHA at various organised forums usually emphasises to its members to stop lodging underage persons.

Mr Talabi called on the Lagos government to streamline the multiple taxes hotel operators must pay. He also appealed to the state government to give grants to help cushion the effect of economic hardship on hoteliers.

“Lagos state came up with a series of money-driven agencies who are also supposed to be carrying out corporate social responsibilities like LASEPA, LASTMA and the safety commission. When they come for enforcement, they usually come with lorry loads of security men and this scares our customers. This is not normal in a civilised society.

“The state is always after revenue collection. They should also be concerned about business survival. Many of us are living from hand to mouth. We cannot even afford to pay N60,000 to our staff, which is being proposed as minimum wage by the government. Government is not encouraging us. We are not lazy. We will be happy if we gain access to grants. Taxes should come with a human face,” he said.

(NAN)