NTDC deploys biometric capture system for tourism workers
From left: Engineer Onofiok Ekong, President, HOFA, and Otunba Segun Runsewe, DG of NTDC , Mrs. Momah of Crystal Palace Hotel, and Mrs. Fibi Ikilamo, acting Director of Hospitality, Travel and Trade, NTDC, during the event
In its renewed drive to check the activities of fraudsters parading as genuine workers in the hospitality industry, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), has concluded plans to introduce a biometric capture system of identification for the workers.
Director General of NTDC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, who made the disclosure in Abuja, said that after a pilot operation of the system in the major state capitals, it will be deployed across the country.
He said the machines being developed by a United States based outfit is intended to recognise staff working in particular hospitality outfits with a central database where such identities will be collated.
Runsewe dropped the hint when addressing members of the Hotel Owners Forum Association (HOFA). He said the technology when introduced is expected to outsmart fraudulent workers in the industry who have being having field day operating to the detriment of genuine practitioners in the industry.
Speaking further, Runsewe commended HOFA for its vital role in employment generation while advising the members to always put together tour packages as a product to advance the growth of the hospitality industry.
He noted that certain taxes levied on hotel owners by government agencies has been stopped to encourage them just as royalties on music played in hospitality outfits as demanded by indigenous musicians is superfluous because according to the NTDC chief, they are helping to promote such artists by playing their music.
Apart from the security measure, the NTDC boss revealed that an internet database is currently developed by the corporation and hotels will be given unique individual passwords where they can display their facilities and services to the entire world.
Runsewe reiterated his promise to give out thousands of the Startimes digital decoder procured from the Nigerian Television Authority to every hospitality outfit like hotels, tour operators, eateries, parks, travel agencies, with 6 months free subscription package observing that the aim remains to encourage and support the hotel owners while promoting viewership of local content as well as the maximisation of profit for all parties involved in the collaboration.
Chairman of HOFA, Engineer Onofiok Ekong, commended the NTDC initiative reaffirming his confidence in the Corporation saying, “NTDC has done it before and is doing it again but we cannot say the same thing about other government agencies”
He said that NTDC’s move has completely changed the perception of the private sector towards government agencies because of the NTDC/NTA partnership geared towards assisting the hotel owners.
Filed Under: Tourism
