Bi-Courtney accuses FAAN of airport underdevelopment

Chairman Bi- Courtney Group Nigeria Limited, Wale Babalakin, has accused the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, of disrespecting the rule of law by failing to execute judgment made by the Federal High Court which causes underdevelopment in the country’s airport.

Wale Babalakin

Babalakin made the allegation Thursday during the on-going 4-day public hearing by the House committee on Aviation in Abuja.

It would be recalled that Justice Olotu of the Federal High Court on March 3, 2009 passed a judgment in favour of Bi- Courtney Limited which demanded FAAN to hand over GAT and pay damages of N132bn to Bi-Courtney in 2012 which he said continues to accrue till date.

The company chief executive also said FAAN has retarded the development of the airport considering that the airport had approved hotel, conference facilities, mono rail, fuel hydrant and power plant projects, but the laudable projects are hitherto inactive due to the non-compliance of FAAN with the court ruling.

It was further stated that the process of the concession, which led to the company taking over the ruins of the former domestic terminal of the Lagos airport to build the money terminal that has remained the best in the country, following the transparency with which the process was conducted.

“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 which was given to Standerton but was unable to execute’.

“After 12 month, the BCL was invited as reserve bidder. BCL executed concession agreement with Federal Government and FAAN in April 2003 after two years of extensive negotiation,” he said.

The court verdict was said to be made as FAAN did not defend itself properly at the court but Bi-Courtney defended itself vigorously and won the case.

“Sanderton was forced to discontinue against Stabilini Visinoni (SVL) and Bi-Courtney. FAAN lost the case. If any judgment was obtained against FAAN, it was due to poor conduct of its case. Bi-Courtney cannot be responsible for FAAN’s dereliction of duty,” he said.

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