ADVERTISEMENT

Hoteliers groan over cost of running generators

The managers said they only got an average of six hours power supply daily from national grid and ran their generators to provide electricity for the remaining hours.

Adams Oshiomhole

The managers of the hotels expressed their concern in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Sunday.

They described the situation as alarming, and called on government to urgently address the problem.

A manager in Badin Hotels, Benin, Mr Emmanuel Aiguobasinmwin, said the hotel spent between N800,000 and N900, 000 monthly to keep its generators running regularly.

ADVERTISEMENT

``The cost is huge and it impacts on our business negatively, the reason being that even when you have few guests, you must power the generators.

``Aside the two generators that run simultaneously, there is always a standby one. Lots of money is required in this regard.

``But let me say here that another area where we spend a lot of money is on security. Making your guests comfortable also entails ensuring that they are secured,” he said.

Also, the proprietor of Kash Guest Inn who simply gave his name as Kevin, said that he spent about N6,000 daily to power his generating plant.

Kevin said although his was a guest house with only 12 rooms, he spent over N160,000 on a monthly basis on diesel.

ADVERTISEMENT

He noted that a huge percentage of what would have been profit to him was being spent on diesel to run the generators.

``Doing this is a must if you want to remain in business. The first thing a guest asks you is whether there will be electricity supply all through the night.

``It really isn’t funny, but what else can one do. We will continue to plead with those in authority to do the needful for us to have food on our table,” Kelvin said.

Another hotelier, Tony Amadasun, said, ``if this present situation persists, I see lots of job cuts in the sector. Job cuts will be necessary in order to reduce cost.

``It is pathetic that government is not able to provide jobs for the graduates coming out of the tertiary institutions yearly.

ADVERTISEMENT

``It is more pathetic that the same government is still not able to encourage those willingly to assist in proving employments.

``We are simply urging government to address the problem of power supply and insecurity,” Amadasun said.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Obama, Clinton support Biden at NYC fundraiser amid protests

Obama, Clinton support Biden at NYC fundraiser amid protests

Tinubu’s refusal to celebrate 72nd birthday marks great leadership - Rahman

Tinubu’s refusal to celebrate 72nd birthday marks great leadership - Rahman

Adamawa Police reaffirms ban on motorcycles in Yola

Adamawa Police reaffirms ban on motorcycles in Yola

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

Tinubu appoints Bello as chairman of code of conduct bureau

Tinubu appoints Bello as chairman of code of conduct bureau

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT