George Uriesi, managing director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has described the authority as a responsible government organisation alive to its responsibility to and to its host communities.
Uriesi made this declaration in Benin, the Edo State capital during a courtesy visit on the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and described the situation that led to the closure of the airport as regrettable and avoidable, promising closer collaboration to avoid future occurrence.
Yakubu Dati, general manager, Corporate Communications in a statement forwarded to Nigeria CommunicationWeek said that FAAN has resolved the issue of outstanding tax payment with the Edo State Government.
He said: “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria wishes to inform the public, especially aviation stakeholders, that it has resolved the issue of outstanding tax payment with the Edo State Government, following a courtesy call on the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by FAAN’s Managing Director, Mr. George Uriesi, in Benin yesterday (Wednesday), July 31, 2013.
“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.
“What the Edo State Government sends annually for payment is the total of shortfalls in such monthly payments, arrived at after reconciliation of accounts with our consultants. The only outstanding payment of such annual bills 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.
“We also 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, contrary to some news reports, but to find the cause of what led to the closure of the airport and to resolve the issue with him.
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. It was in this regard that our MD has instructed the Benin Airport Manager to ensure that payment of tax bills are paid as and when due.
“Finally, 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.
Earlier during the MD’s visit, Governor Oshiomhole commended the FAAN team for its maturity, but however stated that the state was pursuing the remittances of the PAYE taxes as owed the state government.
He described the MD as a worthy son of the soil who was doing the state proud.