Bi-Courtney asks FG to respect agreements

Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) operators of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport terminal 2 (MMA2) has asked the federal government to respect contractual agreements in respect of the concession of the facility.

The facility has come under intense tussle and the latest being an allegation that Bi-Courtney got concession under questionable circumstance.

A statement by the company however said, the federal government should respect contractual agreements in interest of the nation adding that the the facility was transparently awarded to it.

“With each change in government comes a new interpretation of the concession agreement, leading to divergence of opinion. Government should adopt a policy of engagement and respect for contractual agreements in the best interest of the industry, instead of leaving the concessionaire no choice but to resort to potentially acrimonious litigation” the statement said.

BASL explained that, “in 2000, after the old Lagos Domestic Terminal was destroyed by fire, FAAN advertised for a Design, Build, Operate and Transfer (DBOT) concession in two national newspapers. The Federal Government conducted a competitive bidding process, which was open to every interested person. Sanderton Ventures Ltd won the bid. The failure of Sanderton to deliver after 12 months, led FAAN to invite Bi-Courtney as reserved bidders to take over the project.

“The process was in no way shrouded in secrecy. The draft concession Agreement was prepared by the Ministry of Aviation’s lawyers, along with FAAN. From 2001 to 2003, there were extensive negotiations between the parties, subsequent to which the agreement reached was approved by the Federal Executive Council.”