Members of Hotelier Syndicate in Meme Division have said restaurants operating illegally in Kumba pose a danger to health and threaten to put legalised establishments out of business.

The members made the statement, June 10, during a Provincial sensitisation meeting ahead of their forth-coming national assembly from June 16 to 17.

Speaking at the Kumba Council Hall, Aloysius Nguasong, Meme Divisional President of Hotelier Syndicate, said many small eating houses are considered restaurants even though they do not meet the required standards.

He said eating houses neither pay taxes nor meet up with the principles governing the operation of restaurants. Nguasong said this makes them prepare low quality food and sell them at give away prices.

He said calling eating houses restaurants could embarrass tourists in Kumba.

He appealed to the Provincial Delegate of Tourism for the Southwest, Denis Metuge Mesumbe, to check the situation else they would continue working at a loss.

The owner of Plaza Restaurant, Pamela Mbokem, said eating houses do not pay taxes, they sell at very cheap prices thus attracting more customers than they who pay taxes and sell higher.

The Provincial Delegate, Metuge Mesumbe, advised the hoteliers to go in for the best and use the local radio to sensitise the population on the quality of food and services they offer.

Other issues discussed at the meeting included the constant harassment of hotel owners by taxation workers, forces of law and order and the lack of unity amongst the hoteliers. The owners of hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, nightclubs and leisure services at the meeting deliberated on ways of improving their services.