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Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) has faulted claims by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN) and the National Union of Pensioners (NUP) that it owes the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) N2 billion.
The company said that FAAN’s violation of their agreement, especially the decision not to cede the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) to it has deprived BASL of over 50 per cent of its expected revenue.
At a media briefing in Lagos last week, the unions stated that Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of the Murtala Mohammed Airport Two (MMA2), owed FAAN the N2billion.
The firm which is the operator of the multi-billion Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2) maintained it is not indebted to the agency, noting that on the contrary, it is FAAN and the Federal Government that are indebted to Bi-Courtney to an amount now in excess of N200billion.
Spokesman for BASL, Steve Omolale said that N132billion of this sum was confirmed by a court of competent jurisdiction in 2012 in the case of Bi-Courtney Ltd vs. AG Federation (FHC/ABJ/CS/50/2009).
Omolale said , “Contrary to the clear provisions of the concession agreement, the coordinating committee set up by the Attorney-General of the Federation and the decision of the court of law, FAAN continues to operate the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), which he said belongs to Bi-Courtney, thus depriving BASL of over 50 per cent of its revenue.
He described this as a very poor advertisement for any nation seeking to attract private capital for development.
The unions, he reiterated are aware of this position but have chosen to fabricate irresponsible falsehoods in a bid to discredit BASL and mislead the public.
His words, “Fortunately, the public is more discerning. It is common knowledge that the aforementioned unions (NUATE, ATSSAN and NUP) actually challenged the concession agreement in court and lost the case in Appeal No. CA/A/141/M/2009.
“It appears that the unions are seeking to undermine the decision of a Federal Court. There is no better time to remind the unions that Nigeria is a country of laws and all citizens are bound by the laws of the country”.
“We at MMA2 are very proud that we run the most efficient airport terminal in Nigeria. We have demonstrated clearly that, if given the opportunity, a Nigerian company is capable of delivering exceptional services, particularly in the provision of critical infrastructure”.
He disclosed that given that they operate on five per cent of the revenue of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, their achievements over the years are deserving of commendation from all quarters.
Chairman, BASL, Dr. Wale Babalaking had at a forum recently maintained that his firm does not owe FAAN a dime.
According to Babalakin, the agreement signed with government stated that all domestic operations from Lagos must emanate from the MMA2, an agreement that Arik Air flouted leading to some arbitration and court cases that ended up in BASL’s favour.
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