By Adamu Abubakar Kumo and Saeed Ahmad Bappah, Gombe
The Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority (GOSUPDA) met with the Association of Hotels and Lodges of Gombe State to discuss regulatory compliance and building safety to foster understanding and promote best practices within the hospitality sector in Gombe State.
Receiving members of the Association the Executive Chairman of GOSUPDA, Bappayo Samanja Maudo underscores the role of hospitality sector to the economic development of Gombe State, emphasizing on the role they play in job creation and stimulation of other economic sectors.
Maudo however, highlighted compliance issues from members of the Hotel owners which he said has costed the state a lot and institute many economic setbacks to the state.
He expressed concern about practices like obtaining residential permits for commercial use and exceeding approved building plans. Chairman Maudo explained, “These deviations do compromise safety standards and create potential problems for guests.”
“GOSUPDA has a mandate to ensure proper urban planning and development. We’ve discovered instances where some members may be bypassing regulations or neglecting tax obligations to the state government”, he lamented.
To address these concerns, GOSUPDA has issued a “Demand Notice” for building permit verification and directed hotels to seek proper signboard approvals. “We aim to ensure adherence to regulations and promote transparency in the hospitality industry,” Maudo remarked.
The EC reiterated Gombe State Government commitment to ensuring compliance while allowing legal operations of the hotels and lodges. “We are all partners in progress. The government wants to ensure compliance while supporting your legal operations” he clarified calling on the members of the association to support GOSUPDA in building a robust and compliant hospitality sector that contributes positively to the development of Gombe State.
In his response the Chairman of the Gombe State Hotel Association expressed his appreciation for GOSUPDA’s proactive approach. However, he requested additional time for members to address outstanding bills and meet their obligations.
The Chairman cited the challenging economic climate, including rising electricity bills, water scarcity, and other hardships, as reasons for the request for an extension, assuring GOSUPDA of the association’s commitment to collaborate with the authority and other relevant authorities to develop the Gombe State hospitality sector.