Edo State Govt. Shuts Benin Airport Over Tenement Rate Row

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The Edo State government on Tuesday shut the Benin Airport over alleged tax default. Sources at the airport told FrontiersNews on Tuesday morning that the airport was closed at about 5am.
Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State governor, Mr. Peter Okhiria who confirmed the closure of the airport to Frontiersnews on phone however noted that the airport would remain closed until the FAAN paid all the outstanding taxes or reach an agreement on how to remit the tax to the state government.

A ticketing officer at the airport who also confirmed the closure of the airport said all flights have been cancelled pending the resolution of the crisis by the state government and FAAN.
“I believe they will resolve the crisis before the close of work today. Its just tax issue and I don’t think it is something that will linger on for too long,” the source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said.
With the development, all air travelers to Benin would have to look for alternative means of transportation until the problem is resolved.
Meanwhile, the General Manager, Public Affairs of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Yakubu Dati described the development as unfortunate. Citing Article 25 of the Act establishing FAAN, the official said the Act exempts the airports authority from paying any tenement charges to the government.

Source: Frontiersnews

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