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COVID-19: Anabel boss seeks more govt support for tourism, hospitality industry
By Ebere Chibuzor
Thriving tourism sector in Nigeria has been threatened by the new COVID-19 strain even with measures being put in place to contain the virus.
This observation was made by the General Manager, Anabel Apartment and Suites, Vikas Saini, who noted that hotel occupancy had dropped drastically, leading to increased job loss in the travel and tourism industry.
Saini, who is also Chief Operating Officer at Anabel Apartment and Suites further, urged the Nigerian government to do more to support the hospitality industry.
He said, “Hospitality and tourism sector has also had its own share of the challenges arising from COVID-19 lockdown” imposed last year by the Nigerian’s government, stressing that with government’s announcement of stay-at-home and “social distancing” directives, most restaurant businesses were adversely affected. He said this led to rapid shutdown in cities and states to control COVID-19 spread, throwing many restaurants and hotels across the country out of business.
Saini pointed out that resorts and hotels booked by excited vacationers and corporate conference goers before the present COVID-19 pandemic had to be cancelled.
According to him, prior to the pandemic outbreak, hospitality sector was a major revenue earner, with propensity of creating thousands of jobs annually.
For instance, he said, “Nigeria has a long coastal line, forest reserves and cultural heritage sites which can improve tourism.”
However, he noted, “The impact of COVID-19 is making it extremely difficult for many of the hospitality industry’s establishments to continue paying workers with a sharp drop in sales and income, resulting in job losses.
“Many hotels are already closing down because of low patronage and inability to meet up with payment of workers’ salary, electricity bills and other operating expenses.”
He also gave major challenges of the hospitality industry in Nigeria as poor energy supply and cynical global perspicacity, poor standardisation and flawed hotel classification.
Others are inconsistent regulatory environment and skilled labour shortage caused by a few entrepreneurs with little knowledge of the workings of the industry as well as different taxes being paid to various forms of government.
Saini however noted, “Nigeria’s tourism sector, with its great potential, has not been explored maximally.”
He also spoke about “Anabel Apartments and Suites, which he described as the latest bespoke boutique apartment hotel in Abuja, providing one of the highest quality accommodations and impeccable services to an expanding array of noble and appreciative customers.
With emphasis on building loyalty through high level of quality service, he said the hotel aimed to offer clients modern stylish and affordable apartments, suites and independent rooms for both short and long-term stay.
He said, “We have a well-equipped modern multipurpose hall, with good acrostic characteristics, ideal for conferences with seating capacity 200 guests’ minimum, banquets and meetings.
“Do not be amazed, at this time, Anabel Apartments and Suites invites guests to experience African menu of culinary delights; though the hotel’s in-house bar was a great place to relax hitherto, this allows guests to choose from a colorful assorted drinks stacked in finely cut-glass bottles.
“The new outdoor pool bar is another exciting offer. Standard features and facilities in Anabel are super king bed size, free high speed wifi connection, secure digital safe, laundry service, SPA, GYM, swimming pool and many more. Additionally, the hotel is strategically located at a serene niche in the highbrow Asokoro Residential District, Abuja.”
Saini further explained that in relation to the cost per unit space and quality of accommodation, ANABEL offers the most competitive rate and value for money package amongst the prime apartment and hotels in Abuja.
Uncategorized
Lagos-Calabar coastal road: Train track work begins 2025, says minister
Lagos-Calabar coastal road: Train track work begins 2025, says minister
The Federal Government plans to begin constructing train tracks on Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in 2025.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, made this announcement during an inspection of Sections I and II of the project, which are located within Lagos and being handled by Hitech Construction Company Ltd, on Friday, December 20, 2024.
The details of the announcement were published in a statement on the ministry’s official website on Saturday.
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“The President has given very serious attention to road infrastructure. Don’t forget that this Coastal Highway and, of course, the four Legacy Projects all have the train track incorporated. The construction of the train track for this section I is going to take off in 2025,” Umahi stated.
The Works Minister outlined plans to enhance the Lagos-Calabar Highway in Sections I and II of Phase 1, including solar-powered CCTV cameras, lay-bys every 5-15 kilometers, and security posts for improved safety and monitoring.
He announced that 20 kilometers of Section 1 are scheduled for commissioning by May 2025. The Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Olukorede Kashia, noted challenges such as large refuse dumps and unsuitable soil conditions requiring extensive remediation during the project.
Lagos-Calabar coastal road: Train track work begins 2025, says minister
Entertainment
Copyright: Court orders Adele’s song removed from platforms
Copyright: Court orders Adele’s song removed from platforms
A Brazilian court has ordered the removal of Adele’s 2015 song Million Years Ago from radio and streaming platforms worldwide following a copyright lawsuit filed by local composer Toninho Geraes.
The ruling, delivered by Judge Victor Torres, comes after Geraes accused the British singer of copying his 1996 classic Mulheres, originally performed by Brazilian artist Martinho da Vila.
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Geraes claims the track from Adele’s album 25 closely mirrors his 1995 composition, demanding recognition and compensation for the alleged infringement.
In the lawsuit, Geraes is seeking $160,000 in moral damages, lost royalties, and a songwriting credit on Adele’s track.
The court has also imposed a fine of $8,000 per act of non-compliance on the Brazilian subsidiaries of Sony Music and Universal Music Group.
Copyright: Court orders Adele’s song removed from platforms
Uncategorized
Marketers react after NNPCL slashes petrol price to N899 per litre
Marketers react after NNPCL slashes petrol price to N899 per litre
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has praised Dangote Refinery’s management for bringing the price of its gasoline down to N899.50K per litre.
PETROAN spokesperson Joseph Obele said in a statement on Thursday that the action is a huge relief for drivers and Nigerians in general.
“This price reduction, a decrease of N71 per litre from the initial price of N970, is a significant relief for motorists and Nigerians at large, especially during the holiday season,” PETROAN stated.
According to PETROAN president, Billy Gillis-Harry, Dangote Refinery’s price cut would lessen Nigerians’ suffering and lower living expenses over the holiday season.
“The price reduction will alleviate the suffering of Nigerians and reduce the cost of living and transportation during this festive period,” he said.
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Anthony Chiejina, a company representative, stated that the price cut is intended to reduce transportation expenses during the holiday season. Additionally, the refinery stated that customers could purchase an extra litre of fuel on credit for every litre of fuel purchased with cash.
In November, the privately held refinery reduced the price of its gasoline to N970 per litre. “To alleviate transport costs during this holiday season, Dangote Refinery is offering a holiday discount on PMS. From today, our petrol will be available at N899.50 per litre at our truck loading gantry or SPM.
“Furthermore, for every litre purchased on a cash basis, consumers will have the opportunity to buy another litre on credit, backed by a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank,” said Chiejina.
News Direct earlier reported that oil marketers have continued to rely on imports to deliver gasoline across the country, even though two significant refineries in Nigeria started producing the fuel within the last three months.
According to data gathered last week, marketers imported 2.3 billion litres of gasoline between September 11 and December 5, 2024. This ongoing importation runs counter to previous declarations made by certain marketers who stated their intention to cease importing and instead concentrate on locally produced goods.
Marketers react after NNPCL slashes petrol price to N899 per litre
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