Senate wants signatories to Bi-Courtney, FAAN deal prosecuted

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatization, Ben Murray Bruce, says that the committee would summon the Minister of State for Aviation, to explain why the federal government is not honoring its agreement with Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, operators of Murtala Mohammed Airport 2.

Lilian Eze-Mark reports that Senator Ben Murray Bruce expressed disappointment for lack of respect for agreements in the Nigerian aviation sector.

He said those who signed the agreement with Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) on behalf of the Federal Government should be prosecuted for gross incompetence.

Managing Director,  Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), Jari Williams accused Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria of  failing to comply with court judgments and recommendations of the arbitration committee over the past 10 years. For Williams, the disregard has led to stunted development of BASL.

The chairman said the committee intends to invite Minister of state Aviation Hadi Sirika to resolve the matter.

He also pledged to lobby his colleagues in the Senate to ensure that aviation gets zero allocation in the 2017 budget because of the infrastructure challenges that the private sector can fix.

On his part, Vice chairman of the committee, Yahya Abdullahi said it is important that the committee on aviation  adds its voice on the issue and to prevail on FAAN to comply with the laws of Nigeria to enable credible concessions thrive in the country.