Hotelier Criticises Colleagues Over New Electricity Tariff

The Chief Executive Of
ficer (CEO)/Chairman Outside Home Hotel Igwuruta, Chief John Ebom Nworlu, has criticised some hotel operators in Rivers State who promise to pay the new electricity tariff upon improvement in power supply in the state.
The hotelier, in an interview with newsmen at the weekend, said the acceptance to pay the new electricity bill was wrong abinitio, saying it is the people’s right to enjoy steady power supply.
The Tide learnt that some hotel owners in the state promised to pay the new bill at a function in Presidential hotel  organised by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) recently.
Nworlu said such action was not in agreement with the thinking of hotel operators in the state, in that majority of the members were not consulted.
According to him, the issue of new bill, should pass through the House of Assembly and public debate and not through unions or its leaders.
He noted that the association would be willing to cooperate with PHED, if the needful was done
The hotel operator, who also is a general businessman, argued that there should be 24 hour power supply before any negotiation would hold in its favour.
He regretted that the power company was insensitive about the people’s plight and was only interested in profit maximisation.
While calling on the leadership of hotel owners association to learn how to carry everyone along in its scheme, he said- members’ interest should be placed high above self gains.
Listing security and power as the worst challenge facing the hospitality industry, he appealed to the state government under Chief Nyesom Wike to come to their aid so that the sector would continue to flourish.