CCTV camera should cover every hotel - NTDC boss

CCTV camera should cover every hotel – NTDC boss

In furtherance of concern for tourists’ security and welfare, the Director General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has called on hoteliers and other hospitality sector operators to install close-circuit television cameras on their premises.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja last Monday, August 27; Otunba Runsewe pointed out that the unraveling of those behind the gruesome murder of Miss Cynthia Osokogu, a post-graduate student of Nasarrawa State University; by her Facebook “friends” in a Lagos hotel; was another proof that installation of CCTV in hotels was necessary.

While commending all the security agencies that tracked down the alleged killers of Miss Osokogu for their quick response in apprehending the suspects, the NTDC boss, however, observed: “But for the CCTV, it would have been almost impossible to trace the suspects, who are now being held by the police”, observed the NTDC boss; who went on to remind hoteliers to register their premises with the NTDC as required by Law. Speaking further, the NTDC helmsman revealed; “from NTDC investigations, only four of the five hotels (names withheld) patronised by the alleged killers are registered by the Corporation”.

While stressing the importance of hotels registration as this would enable the Corporation keep tab on each hotel for proper supervision, Runsewe added: “We put all registered hotels in a database and on our website for prospective guests to know the credible ones available”.

Keen to reassure that Nigeria is a safe destination for domestic and foreign tourists, the NTDC chief pointed out that some criminals have been discovered to be hiding under the camouflage of hotel business to carry out illegal businesses. Runsewe reminded that many hotels were yet to register with the NTDC, and considering the risk posed by such anonymity; he promised that the NTDC would work with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to get the details of the profile of all hotels and hospitality-related outfits and the CV of the proprietors.

“They use their hotels as decoy”, Runsewe observed, while warning that such hoteliers would soon be exposed and their identities would be forwarded to relevant security agencies. Concluding, he remarked: “Some try to go the Corporate Affairs Commission only, even; when they know that they should not start such businesses without NTDC’ approval. As we have all now come to realise, hotel registration is a must and we are working with CAC along this line”.

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG