He called on the Anambra government to encourage investors in the state with incentives like tax reduction to encourage ” Think Home Philosophy”
Gwacham made the call in
an interview with the newsmen in Awka on Wednesday.
He said that the
incentives, particularly on tax waiver would encourage successful indigenous
business men and women abroad to come home and invest to enhance development of
the state.
Gwacham, owner of a
four-star hotel in Awka said that such incentives would commit any true citizen
of the state to come home and invest, but the intending investors would be
discouraged with high taxation and hard policies.
“I lived greater part of
my youthful age outside the country and discover that no place like home,
Western world survive with taxes paid by the people but they in turn give back
to the people basic amenities to make life meaningful.
“I support government
collection of taxes from industrialist and others but if waiver can be given so
as to encourage people who put down their life hard earned money to set up
business to recoup because at initial take-off no gains are recorded,” he said
He said that investment
in a hotel of International class meant huge sum of money had went under
construction, and government should partner with such people by providing good
incentives with considerable tax rate.
Gawacham said he built
the four-star hotel, Meloch Hotel, Awka, a subsidiary of Best Western, pointing
out that the hotel is one of the five such in Nigeria in Lagos, Port Harcourt,
Benin City, Abuja and Awka.
“It is one of my contributions in developing the
state ,I came to invest this huge amount of money here because someone got to
start the development so I wish to join the race and make our state the Dubia
of our time, “ he said
He said that he had
received lots of discouraging words like “why did you come to build this fine
hotel here Awka not Abuja Lagos, Port Harcourt , it could have been better as in three years or
less you will recover”
“I smiled back at them because money is not everything, we have to reduce the cost of a room in Meloch Hotel because there is no money in Anambra it is my own sacrifice for good things to begin to happen here” he said.
Gawacham said that the
services in the hotel rendered were of International standard in Internet
facilities all in the over 50 rooms, over 60 graduates employed and with
Insurance cover to both guests and workers
.
He appealed to the
government to improve electricity supply as it will enhance the hotel business
and operators and encourage other wealthy people from the state to come home
and invest.
“Their coming home to
invest will bridge the gap of unempolyment level in the state as well create wealthy for the
state as taxes are paid tourist come in
freely and feel relaxed and patronsie
the hotels and other tourist centres in the state” he said
Gawacham hails from
Osile Ogbunike community in Oyi Local Government Area and his is happily
married.
Meloch Hotel is known to have its swiming pool hung in the middle of the hotel, high up. It is reputed to be the most expensive in Anambra with the least room being N15,000 per night.
No comments:
Post a Comment