The Chairman of the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) Dr Wale Babalakin, has advocated local bidding for the concession of the four international terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port-Harcourt Airports.
Dr Babalakin who made this known during a press briefing at Murtala Mohammed Airport terminal 2 (MMA2) said his company should be given the right of first offer in the bidding because the BASL had shown expertise in infrastructure development.
Babalakin also disclosed that BASL is interested in the bid for the concession of any of the four international terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port-Harcourt.
According to him, BASL has no issue with the 36 years of concession agreement of MMA2 but the only issue is the Authorities refusing to release the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) to it.
“There is a bid going on for the four international terminals, In other climes, the Authorities will call on those who have done it before. But what is the success rate of the companies coming to Nigeria to operate? How can government bring expertise from overseas when you have them locally?
”BASL is interested in anything that is intellectual infrastructure development. I am a lawyer and an infrastructure developer, we are interested in the concession, in fact, we should be the first option because, in very organised countries, we would be given a first option offer. And maybe, our participation will make the process a fair one,” he said.
Babalakin disclosed that BASL has been approached by three African countries to build their terminals.
“I think it will be better to consult those who have track records. Before MMA2, nobody talked about terminals but after the completion of MMA2, Bauchi, Dutse now have terminals and I think Anambra State is planning to have one. We have succeeded immensely as an eye-opener to aviation infrastructure development in Nigeria.”
PIAK
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