Mr. Chukwuka Anthony, a Hotelier and Managing Director of Nocy Castle Hotel, Asaba. In an interview with The Forward News Media, he spoke on the high rate of taxes. He appealed to the government to help look into the tax angle that is killing and suffocating most businesses because tariffs are very high, it is not helping the business at all, the government should help reduce taxes, VAT and cost of living. We are also helping the government too by creating Jobs to the citizens. We will also appreciate if the government can help us tar our roads connecting to Nocy Castle, 37 Onwochei Street, Dada Estates, Behind Marble Hill Road, Okpanam, Delta State.
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Tell us a brief background of who you are and what you are into?
My name is Mr Chukwuka Anthony from Onicha Olona, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State
A benevolent and Industrious man that you are, what inspired you to pursue the career and life path you are on?
Yes, After my higher institution I went to Lagos, I didn’t stay much long in Lagos before I moved to South Africa and I picked up an automobile dealership business and as well was into Real Estates and with the privilege of doing such business, I started renting house /apartment to people and I started it on monthly basis, from that to weekly and later daily that was how I Started nursing the idea and I decided that this is more of hotel business, So I started nursing it in mind that someday, I will go back to Nigeria to invest into the hospitality services.
Can you then give us an overview of Nocy Castle Hotel and some recent Improvement in your hotel that have been ongoing or in view?
The name Nocy came from the first letters of my four children and Castle is a general name. The hotel was built within two years. When the construction work started I was on ground with the engineers to ensure there were no delays but when I needed to rest, I traveled abroad. My wife and one of my workers were always at the site to support and ensure there would be no mistake. As only son, it was so hectic during the construction but with God, all things are possible and we are thankful for today that at last, we are fully operating as a legally registered hotel.
We opened Nocy Castle on the 30th of September, 2023 and when we started operations it was very difficult, even when we had one or two guests, we had to operate on generators and then there was no electricity before they commissioned our 33 line electricity.
Meanwhile, we are still doing publicity because it’s a brand new hotel to make people know there is a Hotel called Nocy Castle at Marble Hill, Okpanam.
In all, what makes Nocy Castle Hotel different from its Competitors?
There are many other Hotels in Asaba and environs, Nocy Castle is a non-smoking hotel, we have electricity 24hrs, we have IPTV, swimming pool, Snooker, table tennis, chess, snake and ladder, scrabble, Whot, Draft, Eyo, and many other games to make your stay a more relaxing and a comfortable one. Personally, I have slept in many hotels in Asaba to ascertain the quality they offer but in all, Nocy Castle is different and unique, we have free Wi-Fi services as well that you can easily explore the internet, using your smart phones, laptops to browse and you will not know when it’s even night. In Nocy Castle, We have abroad concept of quietness, when you are in our rooms, you may not likely know that there’s a guest next door, we believe that Nocy Castle is a place you can come to relax your head, take advantage of our tasty delicious meals from our restaurant, cold drinks, good wines from South Africa etc.
I believe your goal is to make Nocy Castle Hotel much more profitable and so what effort do you employ to handle guests’ complaints and hospitality Satisfaction?
We make sure that we satisfy our customers and treat them supreme. As a new business in the industry, we have a suggestion box where our esteemed guests can channel their complaints and we have ensured that their satisfaction is our top priority. We strive to improve every day, as to ensure that our guests’ experience during their stay at Nocy Castle remains top notch. In our capacity as a unique place, we have hosted many corporate bodies and non-governmental organizations, such as the likes of Lagos business School, Sewa etc. They are all satisfied and they recommended and referred our hotel to some other persons, corporate bodies.
Could you chip in some brief challenges you face while managing the Hotel, relationship with hotel Staff and that of your guests?
Some of these challenges are the workers, every time you see them searching for a job, they will be so humble but after employing them, you will begin to see another attitude, some will even want to steal and defraud the company, we trained them to fit into the hotel standard. Some of the workers stopped working after collecting their salary. Especially if there are no loopholes to steal, they will go to another hotel to seek for another employment.
The relationship with the guests is good, we offer the best services to our guests and in return some of the guests give tips in show of appreciation for good services rendered. As a new hotel, we keep improving and we consider our guests as supreme and without them this place will not exist.
In life, we pray for Continuous progress, where do you See Nocy Castle Hotel in 10 years to come?
First and foremost, we are thankful to almighty God who has made it possible for us to have gotten to this stage. It’s only in the hands of God who sees tomorrow, to keep us alive for hundred years and more, I want to see Nocy castle succeed and have children born both nationwide and worldwide.
Sir what Legacy will you leave behind and your advice to those starting up a business especially venturing into the hotel sector?
Hospitality business is good, when you have passion for it, to serve the public but in any business sector, first, you need God’s direction and expertise advice from a consultant or professional in the field, so you don’t make blunders or mistakes along the process. Though you don’t need to wait for Manna to come from heaven or wait for one rich uncle or sister to open a hotel for you because the capital is huge, but if you have one there’s no problem but like some of us, that don’t have such opportunities, we struggled and worked so hard to breakthrough in life. You also do not need rituals or blood money to succeed in life, that’s dirty and fruitless. Hence you can earn money gradually from that small business enterprise, you can save money little by little and someday, you can set up a good business and it’s just a matter of time.
Secondly, divine contact helps, it can come from anywhere, have you ever imagined, a university graduate that studied accounting or medicine but ended up becoming a realtor. However, in all, don’t use your position today to intimidate others because no one knows what tomorrow can become, rather be a blessing and game changer because God placed you in that position to be a helper to others.
