Ogun State government has debunked claims by the Association of National Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) that N20,000 was collected from the Association as charges for its rehearsal, at the June 12, Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.

      Speaking with journalists in Abeokuta, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi, said the money was a service charge meant for cleaning services of the facilities, including public toilets and the premises used for the rehearsal, saying the association’s claims were misleading and could tarnish the image of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led government.

Hon. Fagbayi explained that, “The Association applied to the Ministry for the use of the facility and was granted approval. However, recourse was not made to the Ministry after collecting letter of approval which indicated service charge fees, rather they went ahead to tarnish the image of the state government”.

He stated that the ANTP’s statement against the state government was unfair and unjustifiable to the administration which had been supporting the association and many others in the sector, adding that the government had not contradicted section 6.1.3. of the National Cultural Policy of Nigeria that, “The state should support the associations and clubs through government subvention, grants and other forms or assistance”.

The Commissioner assured that the present administration would not relent in supporting the tourism industry.