Driving around Yenagoa, one thing that is very obvious is the increasing number of hotels in the Bayelsa State capital. There is hardly any "big man" mostly those holding public offices that do not own a hotel. It is the most dominant investment in the state, followed by restaurants, bars, car wash centers, and filling stations.
At a social gathering recently, it was joked that the reason for the number of hotels in the state was to meet the growing number of men and women who are seeking for safe havens to explore their insatiable sexual fantasies. Someone mischievously remarked that the state ranks among the top five states with the highest libido for both sexes. Everyone laughed out loudly.
Despite the number of hotels, there is hardly any available room in most of them, particularly during weekends, an indication that it is a thriving business. There is also this mad rush for rooms when it rains heavily and the weather becomes so cold. It is common to hear the people say "weather for two," as they make frantic efforts to get a partner to quench their oversized lasciviousness.
A manager in one of the popular hotels told this writer that some of their guests who are politicians and contractors have maintained their respective rooms for over a year. According to him, they renew their payment every year, and the place has become their second home.
Another worker in one of the hotels located around the Okaka axis of Yenagoa said married men have run into their wives there and vice versa. Just as boyfriends and girlfriends have ended their affair when they meet there on account of infidelity. She said it is always a big fight during such occasions, and usually, it takes the effort of the hotel's security team to bring the situation under control.
While some of the hotels have lasted for up to twenty years, others could not stay in business for even five years. This is due to poor management system and the refusal of the owners to listen to expert advice. Others couldn't cope with the high and very depressing operational cost of running hotels in the state. The epileptic power supply is a good example to use here.
Like other businesses and residents in the state, all the hotels depend mainly on power supply from the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED).
For whatever reason, the supply has been grossly insufficient, making them rely on their generators. This has impacted the rates charged for rooms because of the cost of diesel. Although, some of them have gone ahead to have other sources of power, like solar and inverters. But one thing is clear, if there is regular power, there will be a high index of profitability.
I recall that there was a time when a sitting governor was reported to have provided grants to hotel owners to help them up their business by upgrading their facilities. The state was to host a major event, and a large number of people were anticipated to come in. That incentive helped hotel proprietors. Some of them utilized the funds, others didn't.
Unarguably, there are no standard hotels in the state. Not one that can be classified into "four or three star" categories. They are at best within the two star category. Poorly built with terrible finishing, leaving high profile guests to either manage or seek shelter in the luxurious guest rooms inside the Government House.
In some of the hotels, there is no water treatment. The water from the showers and taps are brown in colour. In some, you will have no choice but to use a bucket and a plate to scoop water and bath. Yet again, in some, the air-conditioning system is not working. Always faulty, leaving you at the mercy of a dusty ceiling fan. In others, you could hear clearly the people in the next room, making out because of the absence of a well padded wall structure around the premises. Let me not even mention the issue of mosquitoes. That is a general problem in the entire state.
In this age and time, no hotel (I stand to either be corrected or challenged) in the state that offers complimentary breakfast. Yet, they charge similar rates like hotels in places like Port Harcourt, Abuja, Uyo, and Lagos. Complimentary breakfast is one of the main things guests look out for in hotels when they lodge.
A functional gym, sporting, recreational, and other leisure facilities are also some of the things that are lacking in nearly all the hotels in the state. Only a few have swimming pools. These inadequacies
deny guests the full enjoyment they ought to derive from hotels when they lodge.
It has been noticed that for want of space, more privacy and to enable them prepare their own meals, most guests now prefer hotels with apartments. They argue that apartments come with substantial exclusivity, as they can even host their private parties without any disturbance.
Among hotel operators, there are fears that they may be pushed out of business when the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board completes the much talked about NCDMB Conference hotel. The facility is designed to provide suitable accommodation for stakeholders and other personalities that visit Yenagoa for business or to participate in the several oil and gas events organised periodically at the Board’s 1000-seater ultra-modern Conference Centre.
But rather than fret, I think that it should be a challenge by hotel operators to ensure that they take steps to uplift their facilities. Provide the minimum requirements for a standard hotel to give their guests a well-deserved comfort when they come.
Also, those who are about going into the business should learn from the mistakes and pitfalls of existing hotels. They should tour some of the best hotels in places like Port Harcourt and see how a standard hotel looks. Bayelsa should be known for having some of the best hotels, too.
The state government also needs to provide the needed environment to encourage the hospitality industry. Efforts should be made to have a minimum power supply of sixteen to eighteen hours daily. Public facilities should be put in place, especially things that will attract tourists to the state. The airport should be made more functional so that people can fly in and out directly. Increase security should be top on the list, too. These are not things too difficult to achieve.
The state can not continue to have glorified motels and brothels in the name of hotels. Even if it is for "short time," it should be worth it so that the memory will be for a long time, and the guests will keep coming.
