Expert urges dialogue between FG, hospitality industry operators over multiple taxation
NAN-H-85
Taxation
Lagos, Jan. 20, 2017 (NAN) A tourism expert, Mr Ayo Olumoko, has appealed to the Federal Government to dialogue with hospitality industry operators to resolve their differences over multiple taxation.
Olumoko, who is the National Deputy President, Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday.
The expert stated that the downturn in the economy is affecting all sectors of the country and also making it difficult for businesses to pay multiple taxes.
“Getting money to even do your business is hard, how much more of paying staffers their monthly salaries.
“If one continues to have this kind of draconian multiple taxation, of course everyone will close shop and then we will not be doing anything.
“The amount will be too much; we all know that we are already in recession.
“Let the taxes be minimal; let’s start with a minimal amount of money that is affordable.
“It could be N10,000, it could be N3,000, or even N2,000, so that we can establish and then as things progress, we will all do well.’’
According to him, Nigeria has all it takes to diversify the economy from oil to tourism.
“But the private sector needs assistance through collaboration with the federal and state governments,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has appealed to hotel and hospitality bodies to register with the state or face sanctions.
The Head, Public Affairs Unit of the ministry, Mr Ganiyu Lawal, who made the appeal, said the ministry was desirous of upgrading the hotel and hospitality groups to international standard in order to attract more tourists.
Lawal said although the number of registered hotels and hospitality groups in the state had risen above 500.
“We still have some miles to cover with the current number of unregistered hotels.
“But we shall continue to impress it on their operators to comply before the year runs out,’’ Lawal said.
According to her, more than 3,000 hotels, restaurants and others that are yet to register are operating in the hospitality industry in the state.
NAN reports that the annual registration fee for hotel is N250,000.
At least 25 hotels and restaurants have been served default notices to register their business outfits or risk closure. (NAN)
JNEO/AIB/LAB/YEE
Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/ Lydia Beshel/Emmanuel Yashim
===============================================