Kwara Hoteliers Commend Gov Abdulrazaq on Road Construction, Lament Over Multiple Taxation

Kwara State Hotel Owners Association on Thursday has commended Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for massive road construction in Ilorin ans other parts of the state.

The President of the Association, Engr. Amos Ajanaku gave the commendation during a press conference held at Fresh Hotel, Ilorin.

According to him, They are trying with the road connection and we appreciate the government on that but we want the state government to do something in the other aspects.

The Association however identified multiple taxation, poor electricity supply, and high cost of air transportation as major setback of the hospitality sector in the state.

They urged the government to emulate neighbouring states such as Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo, which have taken independent measures to generate and control power within their jurisdictions.

“Other states like Lagos, Oyo,Ogun control power themselves. “Hospitality needs power. How do we make profit when we burn diesel 24 hours and they still want us to perform brilliantly in our tax?” he lamented.

Ajanaku also appealed to the state government to explore ways of improving air transport between Ilorin and Abuja, noting that the current cost of flight, estimated at about ₦300,000, was discouraging both tourism and business travel.

“Issue of transport by air between Kwara State to Abuja. It will serve as recreation to the state. We appeal to the state govt to look into it. The price of a flight to Abuja is 300,000 to Abuja as at yesterday. We appeal to the state government to look into this area so that it can enhance in the tourism,” he added.

He further called for the restoration of pipe-borne water across the state, lamenting that most hotels rely solely on boreholes to provide water for their operations.

“Some hotels even supply water to their neighbours, yet they still bring water rate bills to us. We want the government to look at it critically. All the hotels use boreholes, we have some hotels that give water to neighbours within their environment.”

“A few months ago they came to do the water rate. I joked and said they are supposed to pay me.”

The hoteliers stressed that addressing these challenges would not only boost tourism and attract investors but also enhance the overall hospitality experience in Kwara State.