Fun seekers are taxed N200 off season and N500 on public holidays

The Facility Manager, Suntan Beach, Badagry, Francis Sewonu, said on Friday that the beach generated N11 million as revenue in 2013.

Mr. Sewonu said in Lagos that the N11 million generated in 2013 was an improvement on the N8 million generated in 2012. He said that despite the N200 gate fee collected from visitors, the beach still enjoyed good patronage.

“Though the fee is not permanent, we do charge N500 during public holidays and festive periods because of increase in patronage during these periods,” Mr. Sewonu said.

According to him, over 100 fun seekers patronised the beach daily from Monday to Friday, while about 200 picnickers visited during weekends and other festive periods.

“This record shows that Nigerians enjoy fun and they know the importance of relaxing their nerves after much stress. The management will continue to upgrade and maintain standards at the beach, to make it more befitting for relaxation and enjoyment,” Mr. Sewonu said.

He said that part of the money generated from the beach was usually remitted to the Lagos State government and the remaining would be used to maintain the beach.

Mr. Sewonu was optimistic that the money realised would boost the state government’s internally generated revenue. He said that to comply with government’s requirements, security of beach users had been given priority through the use of lifeguards and the Police around the environment.

Mr. Sewonu said that the surroundings were usually kept clean by cleaners, while more mobile toilets had been provided in strategic places at the beach.

“The environment is always kept clean; this is to comply with government regulations and to ensure that our customers receive good services, while relaxing at the beach,” he said.

Mr. Sewonu said that the idea was to boost the tourism image of the state and to make it a preferred tourism destination in the country.

(NAN)