Kelechi Kas
A bill seeking to regulate the Operations of Hotel Business in Rivers State has passed the first reading on the floor of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The bill sponsored by the member representing Omuma state constituency, Kelechi Nworgu, will give more powers to the ministry of culture and tourism to regulate hospitality business in Port Harcourt.
The bill comes few weeks after a suspected serial killer, Gracious David-West, pleaded guilty to 9 out of the 10-Count charges levelled against him by the Rivers state Police Command.
West who was arrested on his way to Uyo on September 20 was for the first time, arraigned before a Rivers High Court in Port Harcourt on 21st of October.
He admitted to the court to have unlawfully killed eight ladies by names; Maureen, Jennifer Okocha, Blessing Effiong, Linda Wariba, Dorcas Francis, Rose Samuel, Patient Momoh, Antonia Ibe and attempted murder of Benita Etim.
During the court proceeding, Rivers State Government through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Zacchaeus Adangor, filed an application to take over the prosecution of the matter from the Police OC Legal and Prosecution Counsel.
Also Read: Senate approves N10bn loan refund for Kogi three days to guber election despite protests
The Presiding Judge, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, after listening to arguments of the parties granted the application of the State Prosecution to take over the case as it is a high profile matter which warrants capital punishment.
The Judge ruled for a plea of not guilty for the Defendant in order for him to undergo trials before the court while expressing readiness for a speedy hearing of the matter.
The Court adjourned to 18th, 21st, 27th November, and 4th December for the Prosecution to open their case and ordered the defendant to be remanded in prison custody.
Hotels managements was blamed for the security lapses that led to West killing about nine ladies without being captured as most of the hotels were discovered to not have security cameras.
However, Nwogu while presenting the bill said it will empower the state Ministry of Culture and Tourism to regulate the Hotel and Hospitality business.
He said the bill if passed into law has a list of stipulated procedure for the effective running of Hotels in the state.
The Hospitality industry in the state also decried low patronage following the serial killings in hotels around in the state.
They called on the state government to control the proliferation of hotels.
