July 9, 2021

Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), the operator of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos Terminal Two (MMA2), has denied claims that it is owing N14 billion to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

In a statement by its Spokesman, Mikail Mumuni, the company said it is the federal government agency that is, instead, owing it over N200 billion.

“On the contrary, it is FAAN that owes Bi-Courtney over N200bn by depriving it of its legitimate earnings over the past 14 years,” the company said in the statement issued Thursday night.

BASL accused FAAN of opening and operating the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), thus competing with it in the running of the Domestic Terminal, which it said, is 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,” Mumuni 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.

Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, had said BASL is indebted to FAAN to the tune of N14 billion and had made any payment to the government in the last 13 years.

But Mumuni said the figure quoted by the minister is “totally inconsistent” with FAAN’s demand from the company.

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.

“Their last demand was about N1bn which was promptly responded to by BASL stating categorically that there was no such debt.

“We believe that the 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 which has continued to attract commendation from stakeholders. ”