Wale Babalakin, Chairman, BASL (left), and Kabir Muhammed, Managing Director, FAAN in a handshake after an historic visit to MMA2 by the latter on Monday. |
Emerging indications are showing the possibility of a new era of friendship and camaraderie between Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) and the industry regulator, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to improve travel experience.
This was the prevailing atmosphere at a high-level meeting
held behind closed doors recently between the top echelons of BASL and FAAN, as
they forged a new partnership and discussed the future of the nation’s aviation
sector.
Addressing Kabir Muhammed, the new Managing Director of
FAAN, and his team, Wale Babalakin, chairman of BASL, said the new development
was a pleasant surprise and promised to explore the window to foreclose all
preexisting gaps.
According to him, “it has been a challenging 16 years of an
undefined relationship with FAAN. I am positive that this meeting marks the
beginning of a new era between BASL & FAAN.”
Babalakin said it was noteworthy to emphasise BASL’s
commitment to sustainable investment and promotion of good governance and
global best practices in the aviation sector.
“The industry clearly needs to be reengineered to bring the
services and infrastructure standards to what is comparable elsewhere in the
world with a clear focus on automation, passenger facilitation and comfort all
over the country. Together with this renewed partnership, I assure you of our
unequivocal commitment to the objective of building a virile aviation sector,”
Babalakin added.
The meeting was preceded with a courtesy visit by the Senior
Management Team of BASL, to the MD/CEO of FAAN, and his team.
In an unprecedented gesture, Muhammed, in the company of a
select few of his team, reciprocated the visit by making an unscheduled visit
to Babalakin, in his office.
The BASL official visit was led by Tosan Duncan Odukoya, its
Acting Chief Operating Officer.
Other members of staff on the MMA2 entourage were Blessing
Ewah, Head of Operations; Monica Oguta, Head of Aviation Security (AvSEC); Tinu
Dapo -Awosika, Head of Human Resources and Administration; Oluremi Jibodu, Head
of Aeronautics and Cargo Services; Nofisat Adeniran, Head of Safety; Azeez
Sanni, Associate Head of Information Technology, Gbubemi Aibangbee, Head of
Marketing; and Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyin, Associate Head of Communications and
Business Development.
Muhammed, in a warm reception of the visitors was joined by
his team, including his Chief of Staff, Kwasu Ibrahim; General Manager, Credit
Control, Adegbesan Abiodun, and the Akure Airport Manager, Lynda Ezike.
In his welcome remarks, Muhammed, who resumed in May this
year, said, contrary to the preexisting frosty relationship between his agency
and BASL, he would make his administration more open and willing for strategic
partnership and collaboration for growth of the MMA2 Terminal and the country’s
aviation industry in general.
Muhammed said, under his command, he would do whatever he
could within his means to foster unity between both parties and advance the
sector.
“Over the years, ego has allowed the relationship between
the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Bi-Courtney Aviation
Services Limited (BASL) to be strained, but this administration is only
interested in positive results,” he said.
According to him, the envisaged developmental proceeds from
this newly forged common front, “will only come to light through a cordial
relationship between all players in the industry,” adding that “there is only
one aviation industry that exists in Nigeria, and it is our responsibility as
partners to make it work.”
Odukoya, in her opening remarks, explained that the purpose
of the visit “was to congratulate the new MD on his appointment, and to find
ways and means for collaboration between the two organisations through shared
learning and best practices.”
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