From Jude Idu, Abuja
Since the United States Consulate and its United Kingdom counterpart released what has become an unsettling intelligence report of possible terror attacks on various public facilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) a few weeks ago, hotels and tourism operators have lost sleep.
The news hit operators in this sub-sector like a thunderbolt.
Patronage shrunk considerably and losses towering above anticipated thresholds. Their customers fled since hotels and tourist sites were listed as part of the places primed for attacks by terrorists.
The resultant effect of that is depleted revenue, reminiscent of the COVID-19 pandemic, where forced shutdowns and lockdowns pushed businesses to the brink of extinction.
For a fact, the hospitality and tourism industry in the FCT are high revenue generators as they averagely net about N3.6 billion monthly.
The heightened fear is not only on the part of hotel customers, their workers are among the frightened lot. It was in the mid of this troubling security concerns that Mr Idressa Quatara from Coted’voire flew into Abuja for a two-day workshop.
Since the event was not cancelled nor postponed, he braved the odds at least to visit the country he had longed to see. Once in Abuja, he confined to the hotel environment since he was in a totally new space and could not take unnecessary risks.
Idreesa, a tourism enthusiast, told Daily Sun: “African countries look up to Nigeria for greater support of their economies because of the huge human and material resources Nigeria is blessed with. But the country would lose its prime position if something is not done quickly to save it from terrorists’ manipulations.
“African countries are worried and now refer to Nigeria as a giant that is surrendering to terrorism. The warning from the United States coupled with the existing insurgency in the country made Nigeria a dreaded nation.”
A hotel manager in Maitama insisted that the assurances given by the security agencies as well as the FCT authorities were not assuring enough: “Nothing seems to be on ground to save the residents. Many residents, especially foreigners, are not comfortable with the way the US’ security alert appeared to be trivialised by the Nigerian security machinery.
“Most of the foreigners have either fled the country or sworn not to visit hotels in a long time to come. Our business is beginning to record low returns since the consulate issued the security alert. It is not something we should take lightly. Authorities in Nigeria must take urgent steps to secure the country and the citizens.
“I must tell you that most of the terrorist attacks carried out in this country were predicted by the consulate before it happened. And now they are here, doubting the embassy instead of looking for lasting solutions and fortifying security in FCT and Nigeria as a whole.
“Ours is a hospitality industry and we provide comfort and relaxation.
We need an atmosphere of tranquillity to offer those. Government must ensure that a repeat of bomb attacks that rocked the FCT in the past is not experienced again to avoid collapse businesses.
“As a matter of fact, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) should be able to prioritise its economic base to be financially stable like Lagos, Rivers and Anambra states. But here, we are struggling to put up things that will attract investors and tourists and now the fear of terrorist attack now fills the air. It is repulsive to investors.”
Mr Larry Young Martins, a US tourist en route Kenya said: “I use the hotels pretty much. But I will no longer visit the FCT due to the terrorism threat and the warning. My country has just alerted all citizens to flee the FCT. As a businessman, I would like to leave so I live to reap the fruits of my labour.
“I think that the FCT is a very good location that every tourist would like to visit. But tourists love good and safe environments. You must feel at home without worries. I’m a black man who always feels like coming home even when I do not know my parents. I still believe my root as black. I pray for good environment because when the white man makes us feel bad, we head back to Africa.”
Former Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Mike Ejiofor, on AIT morning show, urged the authorities to square up to any terror threats: “It is not surprising that the North Central is hot today.
Recall, when the heat was so much on the terrorists in the North East, they relocated to the North West at that time.
“They bombed the train in Kaduna. Now that it is hot for them and they are scattering to the North Central and the Eastern part of Nigeria.
Having said all this, we should be able to study our environment.
Knowing whom we talk to and whom we give information to.”
He expressed worries over the uncouth remarks of many politicians who incite thugs to initiate political crises despite signing peace accord: “These are some of the things that instigate insecurity and terrorism issues, more especially in a political dispensation.
“We should be wary of all these. Those who may lose elections could seek ways of disrupting the process. All these are important. It is good as the alert is here beforehand and I advise people not to panic.
I believe that the security agencies will contain and foil any attempt to bring Abuja down.”
Nonetheless, James Tanko, a cab driver, is not relying on the assurances of the FCT authorities and the DSS. He told Daily Sun: “I can still recall that these attacks were carried out at crowded places like traffic gridlocks, markets, churches, mosques and other public places. Since the new terror alert, I am avoiding crowded places like a plague.”
He berated the Federal Government for not being responsive enough. He wondered why emphasis is on the safety of the hotels, gardens and parks: “Is it because they generate revenue. What about the masses whose lives are lost during terror attacks? Lives of the poor do not matter but only the lives of the rich and their properties?”
Vice president, Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) and Special Adviser to the Minister of FCT on Tourism Development, Alhaji Yunusa Mohammed, said: “Yes, the insecurity issue has been on going. But every hospitality sector has put one or two things in place to enhance security.
“So, every hotel or tourist site has lots of security apparatuses to boost the confidence of guests and that is something very serious. I have not seen all these as a barrier or deterrent.
“As far as the FCT is concerned, there has been no report of terror attacks on tourist sites or hotels. The efforts of DSS to provide security should be appreciated.
“Just try and go close to any hotel in Abuja as well as the tourist sites, people go about their normal businesses without threat. That is not to say that there are no security problems. What we are saying is that there has been adequate measures put on ground to contain occurrences.
“FCT being the seat of power attracts many citizens as well as foreigners on a daily basis. As such, the hospitality business is very active. Operation of gardens is outside our jurisdiction. The operators did not join the hospitality industry association.
“Parks and gardens cannot be run without well defined closing hours to check the activities of criminals. No one will like to go to a park or garden where his life will be in danger.
“If you approach any business premises, you will see joint security forces. Sometimes, the police together with civil defence. In addition, these places are monitored by CCTV cameras to ensure that every movement is detected. We have been doing well lately.
“I am seeing the FCT as a mega city and it will get there. There is rail line there is an airport. All these things are connected to tourism. Principally, transportation is a key driver hotels are also
part of it. Government is looking for investors in and outside Nigeria to make it a reality for business to thrive.
“Also part of the things we are looking at is how to decongest the city. How to do it is to ensure that the Ministry of Education is taken to the Bwari Area Council. The Ministry of Justice to the Kuje Area Council, so that the city will be breathing well and with a faster way of movement.