The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in Benin on Wednesday apologised to the Edo State Government over its dispute with the state board of internal revenue over its unremitted taxes totalling N15 million.
The Managing Director of FAAN, Mr George Orisi, said that the dispute which led to fisticuffs between officials from both sides was regrettable and a misunderstanding that could have been avoided.
He said that he was in the state to apologise over the incident and find out how a recurrence could be avoided.
Orisi said that FAAN was a good corporate organisation that was in no way at loggerheads with the government of Edo but strongly in support of the government.
He described the incident as an embarrassment that had caused huge hardships and economic loss to both the people and government.
Orisi gave an assurance that the organisation would continue to respect and cooperate with the government and people of Edo toward better service delivery.
Responding, Gov. Adams Oshiomhole said that the relationship between FAAN and the state government had always been cordial as the state government had an obligation to all.
He explained that democracy was a rule of law and tax was backed by tax laws, adding that it was the responsibility of government to enforce the law.
Oshiomhole noted that Pay as You Earn law was a national law as payment of tax gave the citizens the right to demand accountability of resources in the state.
He, however, said that there ought not to be dispute over tax payment as it was mandatory, adding that complying with the law was the only way to avoid reoccurrence.
The governor said that it was not unusual to have problems but dramatising the problem was wrong.
He said it was better to coexist as a people.