Ugas Khalif airport closes amid row over revenue collection

GOOBJOOG NEWS|BELETWEYNE: A simmering row over revenue collection between senior leaders in HirShabelle administration has forced the closure of Ugas Khalif Airport in Beletweyne for the second day now.

Sources privy to the dispute say HirShabelle Vice President Yusuf Dhabageed and the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Musa Salad have been at loggerheads over the collection of revenue from the airport.

Sources said only African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) aircraft are allowed to use the facility which has previously suffered the consequences of political disputes in the state.

It was not immediately clear what the two leaders differed about in terms of revenue collection and use in the airport.

This is not the first time Ugas Khalif Airport has been closed due to political wrangles.

In May when then-vocal Hiiraan governor Ali Jeyte was fired, he reportedly ordered the closure of the airport which later reopened.