Aviation
Benin Airport shut down by Edo Board of Internal Revenue
BENIN – The administrative office of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, located inside the ever busy Benin City airport was this morning shut down by the Edo Board of Internal Revenue (BIR), over alleged unremitted N15 million Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductible tax from staff salary.
Hundreds of air passengers who were to travel by air to either Lagos or Abuja were locked out of the entrance and exit gates of the airport.
Also, passengers of the only Arik aeroplane which landed early in the morning were neither allowed to go out of the gates of the airport.
Chairman of Edo BIR, Chief Oseni Elamah told reporters that the action followed failure of FAAN to remit N15 million pay as you earn (PAYE) tax deductible from workers’ salary for the year 2011.
“In the past, we had to use judicial means to get the money from them. This time, we served them notice but they failed to respond to it. We had to serve them court notice to that effect, which they still did not respond to. Hence, we had to come and seal up their administrative office.”
It was, however, gathered that the office was shut, the airport management allegedly locked the two gates leading to the airport, making it impossible for passengers to either go in or come out of the airport. Following this development, Chief Elamah, who supervised the exercise, had the gates opened, saying that it was the administrative office of FAAN that was locked, and not gates of the airport.
“It was a deliberate attempt to blackmail us. It was their office we sealed, and not the gates,” Elamah said.
The Benin City airport manager, Mr. Sunday Ayodele could not be reached for comments as he was seen whisked away by operatives of the State Security Service.
Meanwhile, air travellers were stranded in other parts of Nigeria on Tuesday after the Benin airport was shut.
Between eight and ten flights operate at the Benin airport daily and only one Arik Air plane had successfully landed before the sudden closure.
“We landed this morning but we cannot take off again. The airport is shut,” said Banji Ola, spokesperson at Arik Air.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, condemned the closure, saying that the Edo State Government does not have the right to shut the airport.
“Edo State Government shut down Benin Airport in pursuit of tenement rates. Article 25 of the act establishing FAAN exempts the authority from such payments,” said Yakubu Dati, spokesperson of FAAN.
“The Authority shall be exempted from the payment of taxes and tenement rates and any arrears whatsoever in connection thereto,” states the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria Act 2004 establishing Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
Arik Air and Aero Contractors all fly to Benin from Lagos.
An Abuja-Accra flight experienced technical difficulties mid-air on Friday, forcing it to return to Abuja, shortly after departure.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Board (NSIB) made the disclosure in a statement, adding that it has launched investigation into what it described as a serious accident.
Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji stated that preliminary investigations revealed the aircraft experienced an engine number two indication issue.
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It was gathered that the aircraft, with registration number 5NKAL which was operating a flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja (DNAA), to Kotoka International Airport, Accra (DGAA).
She explained that four persons were onboard when the incident occurred. The crew immediately requested for a diversion back to Abuja due to the engine indication.
Oladeji added that the crew managed to safely land the aircraft at Abuja Airport at 18:16 UTC.
There were no injuries reported, and all individuals on board are safe.
Nigeria has acquired 12 pre-owned Alpha Jets from the French Air Force as part of efforts to enhance the operational capacity of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The deal, facilitated through SOFEMA, a French military and aeronautics company, was announced by Olusegun Dada, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on via X on Thursday.
He said, “All the 12 aircraft are ready for shipping.”
The Alpha Jet, a product of Franco-German collaboration, is a versatile military aircraft designed for light attack and advanced training missions.
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Equipped to carry bombs, rockets, and missiles, the aircraft also features a gun pod for close air support.
The NAF already operates 11 Alpha Jets, but this latest procurement signals a significant boost to its fleet.
Dada also confirmed that the Air Force is expecting 24 M-346FA light attack aircraft, ordered during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The first batch of these Italian-made aircraft is expected to arrive early next year.
Air Chief Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff, described the acquisitions as a testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to bolstering the armed forces.
“This renewal of our aircraft fleet reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Nigerians,” Abubakar said.
The announcement comes on the heels of President Tinubu’s three-day state visit to France, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The visit, which took place from November 27 to November 30, highlighted deepening ties between the two nations.
To ensure the sustainability of its expanding fleet, the Air Force has proposed establishing a local maintenance hub.
Speaking in October, Abubakar noted that six units of the M-346FA aircraft were already in production, with the initial batch of three expected to be delivered in early 2025. The full fleet is projected to arrive by 2026.
“These developments underscore the importance of creating a domestic support system for the long-term upkeep of our aircraft,” Abubakar added.
As the holiday season draws near, Aero Contractors has introduced a minimum ticket price of N80,000 for all local flights.
The move, which will last until January 2024, aims to ease the financial burden on Nigerians amid the high cost of living.
Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors, made the announcement on Tuesday during a press briefing, describing the fare reduction as a gesture to help Nigerians celebrate Christmas and the New Year without the stress of steep ticket prices.
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Sanusi said, “We understand the economic hardship Nigerians are facing, especially with high ticket prices, and we know the holiday season is nearby.
“In the spirit of Christmas, Aero Contractors has introduced what we call pocket-friendly Christmas prices. These fares, starting at N80,000, will apply to all our destinations, allowing Nigerians to travel without excessive costs.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, an economy class ticket from Lagos to Abuja was priced at N99,643, while business class tickets were being sold for N189,167.
Sanusi further explained that the initiative was designed to make it easier for families to reunite during the holidays.
“This is a way for us, as an organization with a long history of serving Nigerians, to give back to our loyal customers. We want to make it possible for families to meet their loved ones during this festive season without worrying about exorbitant travel costs,” he added.
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