Imo Hoteliers hail FG’s ban on patronage of hotels by underage girls

Imo chapter of the Nigeria Hotel Association has hailed the Federal Government’s ban on patronage of hotels, brothels and motels by underage girls.

The Chief Servant of the association in Imo, Mr Chima Chukwunyere said this while speaking with newsmen in Owerri, on Wednesday.

Chukwunyere was reacting to a decision of the Federal Ministry of Woman Affairs, conveyed by the minister, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye in a meeting held with the national leadership and state Chairmen of the association in Abuja, last Wednesday.

Chukwunyere said the minister frowned at the lodging, bullying and abuse of underage girls in hotels and placed a ban on their use of such facilities.

He added that hoteliers are advised to display a notice of prohibition of underage females from using their facilities and present the Federal Government Age Declaration form to suspected underage females to ascertain their real age before they check into hotels.

He called on all hoteliers in Imo to abide by the decision as serious sanctions will be imposed on defaulters by a mobile court established across the states of the federation by the minister.

“ The minister, while addressing us harped on the need for holistic partnership with hoteliers across the country to shutdown brothels and checkmate the spate of abuse of underage girls in hotels and motels.

“ To this end, hoteliers must put their eyes to the ground to ascertain the actual activities of customers and device means of protecting young girls from perpetrators of child trafficking, drug abuse, sex for grades and other vices.

“On no condition should any student in school uniform be found in an hotel or similar facility where alcohol is sold, as such outfits, when found, shall be shut down and be made to face the mobile court “, he said.

Chukwunyere however added that although times were tough, hoteliers must synergise with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to ensure that lives of children are saved and their morals preserved.