Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos Terminal Two (MMA2) in a swift response by its spokesman, Mikail Mumuni has denied owing the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) any amount at all.
Hadi Sirika, aviation minister yesterday said Bi-Courtney owes Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) about N14 billion, adding that for the past 13 years since it began operations, it has not remitted a single dime to them as stipulated in the agreement.
In a statement on Thursday night, Mumuni stated “On the contrary, it is FAAN that owes Bi-Courtney over N200bn by depriving it of its legitimate earnings over the past 14 years.”
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This, he said arose by FAAN opening and operating the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), thus competing with BASL with government money in the running of the Domestic Terminal in a flagrant breach of the concession agreement.
“BASL in line with the dispute resolution process contained in the agreement had an arbitration award in its favour. It also got the judgement of a high court, six Court of Appeal judgements and a Supreme Court judgement, all in its favour and sustained the monetary award,” he said.
Mumuni stressed that the courts ruled that any debt that may be alleged against BASL by FAAN should be deducted from the credit judgement after due verification.
He added that “the N14bn debt mentioned by the minister is totally inconsistent with the demand by FAAN, the body which has been liaising with BASL. Their last demand was about N1bn which was promptly responded to by BASL stating categorically that there was no such debt.”
Mumuni said “We believe that Minister was not properly briefed by FAAN as we also pay our electricity bills as and when due. We equally provide elaborate security at the Terminal has continued to attract commendation from stakeholders. ”
He said BASL is a law-abiding company and will continue to obey the laws of the land while providing exceptional services at its facilities.
