Cynthia Osokogu: CCTV must be in every hotel- NTDC Boss

Mr. Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), has called on hoteliers in the country to improve security in their hotels by providing close circuit TV camera in the interest of their guests and their business.

He said this yesterday while speaking with journalists in Abuja. Runsewe stated the call became necessary in view of the recent murder of a post graduate student of the Nasarawa State University, Miss Cynthia Osokogu, by her Facebook ‘friends’ in a Lagos hotel. “But for the CCTV, it would most probably be difficult to trace the suspects who are now being held by the police,” he said. The NTDC boss reminded hoteliers to also register with the corporation in accordance with the law, revealing that from NTDC investigations only four of the five hotels patronized by the alleged killers registered with the corporation.

Runsewe stated that registration of hotels is important as it would enable the corporation keep data on each hotel for
proper supervision. “We put all registered hotels in a database and on our website for prospective guest to know the credible ones available,” he said noting that the NTDC would work with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to get the details of the profile of hotels, other hospitality outfits and their owners stressing that a lot of them are yet to register with the NTDC. “Some try to go to CAC only but they know they cannot
start their businesses without NTDC. It is a must but we are working with CAC along this line,” he said.
He noted that some hoteliers have been found to be doing other illegal businesses, using their hotels as décor warning that such hoteliers would soon be exposed as their identities would be forwarded to the appropriate security agencies Runsewe said that the corporation would not relent in its effort at ensuring that Nigeria is a safe destination for Nigerian and foreign tourists.

The Director-General also commended the security agencies that tracked down the alleged killers of Osokogu.