A RECONCILIATORY committee has been initiated, to resolve the controversy over the rise in Passenger Service Charge (PSC) that Bi-Courtney, operators of the domestic terminal, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos had planned to introduce.The move was disclosed yesterday by the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Odua-Ogiewonyi.The committee, to be set up by the minister with representation from all parties to the dispute, is expected to meet in three weeks' time and come up with recommendations for an amicable resolution of the crisis for the Senate Committee's consideration and approval.Both Bi-Courtney and the Ministry of Aviation are embroiled over the raise of the terminal charge from N1, 000 to N2, 500.While Bi-Courtney said it got approval in 2007 to raise the charges as a result of high maintenance of the facilities, the minister pointed that approval did not follow due process and the hike would be too high for passengers to bear.Chairman of the Committee, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who urged the minister to set up the committee, spoke of the need to settle the matter out of court.He said the purpose of the parley was to create a platform for stakeholders and parties to the dispute to dialogue and find an amicable resolution and settlement of the face-off in a manner that the aviation sector is not further strangulated.Earlier, in his opening statement, Bi-Courtney chairman, Dr. Wale Babalakin maintained that his company secured all requisite approvals, which necessitated the increase of the PSC from N1,000 to N2, 500.But Oduah-Ogiewonyi explained that Bi-Courtney unilaterally increased the PSC by as much as 150 per cent without carrying out wide consultation with the grantor as required by the concession agreement, International Civil Aviation Organisation regulation's and the required Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority's approval.'The concession agreement dated the 24th day of April 2003 provides at article 11.3 that the concessionaire 'shall in consultation with the grantor and other relevant Authority, determine the tariffs, rents, fees and other charges collectible from users of the terminal throughout the concession period', the minister declared.'I may not know about law but I know about morality, I know about ethics, and I know about fairness. We are partners, Bi-Courtney is not the sole partner in this matter and we must be seen to be treating one another as such. Bi-Courtney has not recognised us as such and this is unacceptable', the Minister stated,Chairman Senate Committee Chief, Hope Uzodinma said it was not healthy for a Terminal Manager (Bi-Courtney) to be constantly embroiled in legal tussles with the regulator, and urged all parties to go into the negotiations with an open mind.While agreeing that Bi-Courtney has a right to make profits out of its investment, the Senate Committee Chairman said no citizen of the country ought to be cheated, stressing that any responsible government must respect the rights as well as protect the interest of its citizens. 'Ours is beyond profit; patriotism and national interest is paramount', he declared, and urged Bi-Courtney to ensure that its PSC increase is reasonable.
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