The Delta State Government has issued a stern reminder to all operators within the state’s tourism and hospitality sector to regularise their registration and settle any outstanding renewal fees for the year 2025 without further delay.
The State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Darlington Ijeh, gave the warning on Friday in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
Ijeh emphasised that the directive applies to all establishments, including hotels, motels, guest houses, restaurants, fast-food outlets, tour-operating companies, travel agencies, amusement parks, gardens, and nightclubs, among others operating in the state.
‘We are urging all operators within the state’s tourism and hospitality sector to regularise their registration and settle any outstanding renewal fees for the year 2025 without further delay.
‘The ministry warned that failure to comply with this directive would attract strict sanctions, which could include the sealing of non-compliant premises, in accordance with existing state laws and regulations.
‘We need the cooperation of all stakeholders in ensuring full compliance to avoid sanctions. This is an official reminder to all concerned operators to update their registration with the Delta State Tourism Board’.
He said the move was part of the state government’s efforts to streamline operations within the tourism and hospitality sector, enhance regulation, and ensure that all businesses operate within the legal framework established by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The Commissioner, therefore, urged operators to visit the Delta State Tourism Board to complete their registration or renewal processes promptly to avoid penalties.
Delta State laws require hospitality and tourism businesses to register and pay annual renewal fees.
The registration process is managed by the Delta State Tourism Board, which oversees the classification and monitoring of hotels, guest houses, nightclubs, and other tourism-related enterprises in the state.
Non-compliance with registration and renewal requirements has been a recurring issue.
In past years, the government has taken legal action against defaulting operators, including hotels, nightclubs, and lounges.
Mobile courts have also been deployed to sanction businesses that fail to meet the state’s registration and renewal obligations.
