…As Mgt Says Poor Power Supply Killing Hospitality Business In Delta
Renowned businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Casa De Pedro Hotels Limited in Effurun, Delta State, Chief Peter Asagba, has blamed the continued poor power supply and high inflation in the country as some of the major factors responsible for the dwindling fortunes of the hospitality industry particularly in the State.
Chief Asagba, who is the Duke of Amukpe and prominent chief of Okpe Kingdom, lamented hotels are running at lost owing to the failure of the Federal Government to resolve the lingering epileptic power situation in the country.
Flanked by his wife, Chief (Mrs.) Beauty Asagba, the hotelier disclosed that many hotels were already folding up due to the high cost of running and maintaining their businesses thereby worsening the unemployment rate in the country.
He stated this during the 25th anniversary of Casa De Pedro Hotels Limited along Refinery Road in Effurun, Uvwie.
According to him, the cost of generating power with the current cost of diesel was killing hospitality businesses in the state and pleaded with government at all levels to support hoteliers in the midst of hash economy situation.
He stated further that the hospitality industry is one of the highest employers of labour, adding that multiple taxations and frequent harassment are among thing affecting their businesses.
The former UPU scribe, who however expressed appreciation to God for helping him to remain in business, thanked and commended staff for their dedication to duty in last 25 years of the hotel existence.
Chief Asagba posited that the anniversary ceremony was organized to honour staff of the establishment for their sacrifices and dedication to duty which has kept the hotel among the best hotels despite existing for 25 years.
The event attended by some top businessmen, hospitality industry players and friends of the hotel had some of the staff rewarded for their dedication to duty and long service awards with both cash and other gift items including generating sets, television sets, standing fans, blenders and a host other items.
“For the past twelve years, the power problem has been a big mess. The kind of government we have, we (hoteliers) are not getting reliefs. The harassment by government officials, multiple levies and lack of light are some of our biggest challenges in the hospitality business. In two days, it cost us N2.5 million to generate power, otherwise the beginning was good.
“What do we do to our workers who are dedicated? It’s to tell them thank you for being dedicated because salary is not commensurate to cost of transport and other sacrifices they are making. There are no palliatives to cushion our losses and for helping to reduce unemployment in the country”, Chief Asagba averred.
He assured that Casa De Pedro Hotels would continue to maintain its excellent name and standard in the hospitality industry by providing top notch services to their customers and business partners.
Some of the staff rewarded for their outstanding commitment to service and excellence include; Head of Human Resources, Chief Tunde Sawyerr, who was rewarded for the longest service award; Hotel Manager, Mr. Uche Emmanuel Nwaeke and Blessing Mukoro.
Among top dignitaries at the ceremony include; the Bolowe of Niger Delta, Chief Tunde Smooth; popular businessman and Erhi of Agbon Kingdom, Chief James Omeru; MD Sizzlers International, Mr Mchathy Igiebor and Olorogun Robert Onojeruo of Idjerhe Kingdom.
Others are Okakuro Onome Emosivwe of Agbon Kingdom, Mr Isaac Omojaja , Mr. Festus Makelemi and Gotcha Okeoto of Shell Ogunu Golf Club, Okakuro Omo Omizu of Okpe Kingdom and Arc. & Mrs. Efeturi Asagba.
Casa De Pedro Hotel Limited, one of the leading hospitality industry players with first-class facilities including adults and children swimming pools, indoor and outdoor children playing games, bush bar and 24/hrs power supply, started at Maduku street in Okumagba Avenue, Warri, 25 years ago.
