1st August, 2013
Simon Ateba/Aviation correspondent
The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, George Uriesi, did not apologise to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State contrary to media reports over the crisis that rocked Benin airport on Tuesday, the agency said in a statement.
“We wish to clarify that our MD/CEO did not apologise to the Governor of Edo State over the tax issue during his courtesy visit to him,” said Yakubu Dati, FAAN mouthpiece.
Dati said FAAN boss travelled to Edo State to understand what led to the closure of the airport and to resolve the issue with the governor.
Dati said their records clearly showed that FAAN is up-to-date with its payment of PAYE taxes for Benin Airport up to June, 2013 as the Authority makes month-by-month payment to the Edo State Government, direct from Benin Airport, as soon as salaries are paid.
“Receipts for such monthly payments were made available for verification. Payment for July, 2013 will be ready for payment by August 6, 2013 since FAAN pays salaries between the 24th and 25th of every month,” he said.
FAAN said even it taxes were not paid no State Government has the right to shut down a Federal Government aiport.
“We wish to restate that no State Government, agency or individual has the right to shut down an airport over any issue whatsoever as airports constitute security zones, under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, as enshrined in the Act establishing the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria,” Dati said.
Dati said issued of taxes should be left to the Inland Revenue Service to exploit and not the State Government.
“We believe that it is the responsibility of the Head of Edo State’s Inland Revenue Service to exploit all available official avenue for resolving the issue of taxes before taking such drastic action that caused a lot of inconvenience to airlines, their passengers and other airport users.” Dati said.
He said Uriesi has instructed the Benin Airport Manager to ensure that payment of tax bills are paid as and when due.
The only outstanding payment of any annual bill is that of 2011, amounting to about N15 million, a cheque for which is now ready for release.
“To date, the Authority has not received the outstanding annual bill for shortfalls in 2012 from the Edo State Government. That bill will be paid as soon as it is received by FAAN,” Dati said.