Bi-Courtney concession dispute: ICRC boss commends Keyamo

Dr Johnson Ewalefoh, the Director-General (D-G), Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo for resolving the longstanding Bi-Courtney concession dispute.

Ewalefoh gave the commendation on the sideline of the ongoing 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit on: “Law as infrastructure, building predictability into Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)”n in Abuja on Tuesday.

The D-G said that Keyamo played a major role in negotiations with Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Chairman, Dr Wale Babalakin, which led to an agreement to settle the dispute.

He said that the Federal Government had addressed the dispute, which had lasted for about 15 years and involved a court judgment of N132 billion against the government.

According to him, Babalakin has secured favourable judgments at the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, but non has been enforced.

Ewalefoh said that the negotiations enabled both parties to reach a compromise, with Bi-Courtney relinquishing its monetary claims against the government.

He said that the agreement also addressed outstanding obligations under the concession, including the development of a hotel and convention centre.

The ICRC boss said the arrangement would also allow regional flights to operate from the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), Lagos.

He described the resolution as an example of the PPP model, which required both parties to negotiate and reach mutually beneficial agreements.

Ewalefoh said that the disputes were not unusual in long-term infrastructure contracts, changing circumstances could require parties to renegotiate certain provisions.

He said the ICRC was incorporating lessons from previous disputes into a model agreement to improve transparency, compliance and dispute resolution.

Ewalefoh said that the commission was working with the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to strengthen government participation in resolving contractual disagreements.

He emphasised that respect for the rule of law and contractual obligations was essential for the success of PPP.

Ewalefoh said that infrastructure concessions could last 20 to 30 years, making continuity, transparency and legal protection crucial beyond individual political administrations.

According to him, the ICRC is strengthening the legal framework governing infrastructure agreements to protect investors and ensure projects remained viable.

He urged government institutions to treat concession agreements as partnerships, adding that effective negotiation could resolve disputes and prevent the disruption of critical infrastructure projects.