Covid-19: Gov. Fayemi Distributes Palliatives To Ekiti Hoteliers

Kayode Fayemi has assisted hoteliers in Ekiti State.

News Rain gathered that the Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, through his Senior Special Assistant on Tourism Development, Wale Ojo-Lanre on Friday, distributed a consignment of COVID-19 palliative items which included bags of food items and condom dispenser appliance to hoteliers.

Why Fayemi Distributes Palliatives To Ekiti Hoteliers

At the event, Wale Ojo-Lanre also used the opportunity to reiterate the government’s commitment to creating a compelling conducive business atmosphere for the blooming of the tourism and hospitality sector in the state.

According to him, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who he described as a deep proponent of development tourism, has put in place bountiful developmental strategy and offerings for tourism, hospitality practitioners, and stakeholders in the state.

He also disclosed that Governor Fayemi, being a cosmopolitan fellow with a vast experience in governance and administration, is laying the fundamentals for sustainable germination, growth, and blossoming of the tourism sector in the state.

Ojo-Lanre said that the palliative being handed over on Friday to the association was just a tip of the iceberg of palliative and incentives which would be rolling out from the stable of the state government in recognition of the devastating effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on the hospitality industry in Ekiti state.

He said that the Governor of Ekiti State recognized and appreciated the immense contributions, sacrifice, and endurance of members of the Association during the COVID-19 lockdown, hence his determination to cushion the effect of this not only by the items donated on Friday but others impactful acts.

Ojo-Lanre further stated that “Governor Fayemi’s administration is focused on taking tourism to the next level noting that the hotel and hospitality sub-sector of the industry plays a crucial role in tourism development and should be supported and encouraged.”

“The act of engagement of this association by Governor Fayemi made a solid impression on the members who nominated three of their members to make responsorial statements.” He said.

At the event, Prince Kayode Oni, President, Highflier Hotel, who is a retired civil servant from the state applauded Governor Fayemi for his proactiveness and determination at growing the tourism sector in the state.

He extolled the act of engagement of the Association by Governor Fayemi through his Senior Special Assistant on Tourism Development, Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre.

Prince Oni disclosed that it was the first time that the Association was being formally recognized and engaged purposefully by the government in the state.

He revealed that every tenure of Dr. Fayemi has been a blessing to the tourism and hospitality sector in the state.

Prince Oni made reference to some of the tourism enhancements and achievements embarked upon during his first tenure and expressed that he was not so much surprised by the Governor’s sequential impressive tourism accomplishments in recent times.

He said they would be most grateful to the Governor if he could sanitize the multiple taxes being loaded on their members and grading of the roads leading to some of these hotels.

In the same vein, Professor A Akomolafe, promoter of Cultural Centre Hotels, Ikere, and an expert in Biofuel said he was glad that the tourism sector is retaining committed attention from the government of Ekiti State which he hoped that this great leap would not be truncated.

Akomolafe lauded Governor Fayemi for instituting private-public participation in the Ekiti tourism sector which he said is building a bridge of trust between the government and tourism stakeholders in the state.

He canvassed for a synergy of purpose to be formed between Ekiti tourism stakeholders, security agencies, and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW.

Also, Otunba J K Ayeni, President, Ekiti State Hoteliers’ Association lauded Governor Fayemi for recognizing and having a feel of the immeasurable and irreparable impacts of the COVID-19 lockdowns on his members.

He assured that the bags of food items and condom dispenser appliances would be distributed to members at their next general meeting.

Otunba Ayeni declared that members of the Association would partner the government in building a virile tourism sector in Ekiti.