Tourism expert urges synergy between government and hospitality operators in fight against insecurity
The General Manager/CEO, Enugu State Tourism Board, Hon. Steve Odo, has canvassed for synergy between Government at all levels, and Hospitality establishments in the fight against insecurity.
He stated this at the presentation of his book “The Principles and Practice of Hospitality and Tourism Management” recently in Enugu.
He said the synergy between various levels of government (Federal, States and Local Governments) and hospitality establishments would go a long way in identifying questionable characters using their facilities.
Odo emphasised that the hospitality sub sector is very important in the national security architecture hence the need to incooperate the sector in the efforts to check insecurity, not only in Enugu State but Nigeria at large.
“Evidence abound that most crimes are committed in hotels and other hospitality outfits such as public parks, gardens, night clubs, terminals among others.
“Some of these criminals use these private and public facilities as their hiding places from where they plan and execute their nefarious activities, ” he said.
Odo said that the hospitality establishments have very important roles to play in maintaining national security if well organised.
“Therefore, government should synergize with all hospitality establishments for the purpose of enhancing national security.
“These partnership should include in the areas of training programs, seminars, public enlightenments and workshops.
“Information sharing is also very necessary by both parties for the purpose of clearer identity of persons that patronize those hospitality establishments, ” he said.
According to him, there is also the need for security operatives to have some knowledge and experience in the hospitality industry.
The general manager further stated that, if Nigeria is to win the war against insecurity, all stakeholders must be fully involved and be made to play their roles effectively.
“National security should be everyone’s concern and not to be left for security operatives alone, ” he said.
