Authorities of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)
has apologized to the Edo State Government and air travelers over the incident
which led to the closure of the Benin Airport on Tuesday.
The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria Managing Director, Mr.
George Uriesi who led other management staff which included Mr. Yakubu Dati,
General Manager, Mr. Kolawole Adefomiwa, Deputy General Manager, Mr. Adeboye
Festus, the Chief Security Officer and Mr. Ayodele Sunday, Airport Manager,
Benin City said “they deeply regreted the events of yesterday and we will like
to find out how we can avoid a situation like this arising in the future,
because it is neither in the interest of FAAN nor in the interest of Edo State
Government for the Airport to be closed down, because there was a lot of
hardship and serious economic consequences as a result of the shutdown and
there is need to settle this matter.
In his response, Governor Oshiomhole noted that tax law was a
federal law which the state Government is only trying to implement.
He noted that the tax which FAAN defaulted on was the Pay As You
Earn (PAYE) which even the President and Governors pay.
Oshiomhole said the State Board of Internal Revenue got a proper
Court Order to seal the FAAN Manager’s Office, noting that the FAAN Manager on
his own decided to seal up the Airport to gain public sympathy.
The Governor said the problem with Nigeria is not immunity, but
impunity as people often violate the law and get away with it.
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