18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2012 THE protracted tussle between the federal government and concessionaire, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd (BASL) is an untidy example of how officials’ poor attitude to government work clogs our developmental efforts. The domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, was like a glorified chicken shed before it got burnt in 2000. The President Olusegun Obasanjo regime conceded it to BASL on the “build, operate and transfer” model. Based on the April 2003 agreement it was initially billed to last for twelve years. But on February 2, 2007, it was suddenly extended to last for 36 years. Indeed, BASL was able to set up a modern, internationally-compliant airport terminal; the first of its type in Nigeria, complete with automated processes and a parking lot. It cost billions of naira borrowed from local banks. A controversy, however, arose as to whether the 36 years was not too long for a concession of this type. Aviation stakeholders, such as Arik Air, the National Union of Air Transport Services Employees (NUATE), and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)
Power tussle over MMA2 challenged Bi-Courtney’s legal quest to assert its right to run the concession for the 36 years. Both the High Court and Court of Appeal have already upheld Bi-Courtney’s rights. As a model of concession of public works to private sectors our interest is to ensure that the right balance is struck between the interest of the general public and that of concessionaires. The period of 36 years is obviously too long. But since the government went into the arrangement with its eyes open it must respect its terms. The government of this country has become notorious for voluntarily signing agreements and backing out unilaterally, thus creating undue friction.
This was the problem that plunged Nigeria into civil war in 1966/67. However, we advocate for a probe of the variation of length of the concession to establish whether public officials slept on their duties or compromised their integrity. If such a case is established the officials should be sanctioned to ensure public servants sit up to their duties in future. Since government is now firmly moving in the direction of concession for rapid development, even to the point of setting up the General Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) we must ensure we respect the terms of all agreements to encourage more private investors to participate. Bi-Courtney must also be made to improve its poor maintenance profile of MMA2 where most of the automated processes regularly break down with little effort to attend to them. While we support the respect for agreements and court verdicts we insist that Bi-Courtney must be held to account in terms of maintenance and adjustments in the cost of its services.
OPINION BY ANDY ADIBEMMA
I
HAVE always seen the new Police Inspector General, M.D. Abubakar from the angle of generalisation. That is, same of same if you understand what I mean. Over time, the Nigeria Police has acquired a notoriety that eclipsed the shining lights within the force. Until recently, the image of the force was as black as the uniform worn by its rank and file. The coming of the new IGP has put a fitting end to all that. Upon his appointment, Abubakar talked of dismantling roadblocks: those deeply hated ‘toll gates’ mounted by members of the force. Many thought he was just rehashing an old promise, since before now his predecessors had talked tough on the same issue to no avail. But the abolition of check points has come to stay. The rank and file now appreciate that there is a better way of policing the highways without the help of used tires, bricks and tree trunks. Police image is the better for it, thanks to Abubakar who stood his ground against the entrenched cabal in the system who did not want their shameful streams of filthy lucre to dry up. Of course, we can point to isolated checkpoints here and there, more so at odd hours of the day, but these types remain just thatisolated cases. One can now ride from Onitsha to Benin without encountering a single police check point. In Imo State you can travel from Owerri to Umuaka without a checkpoint in sight. This road of less than 40 kilometers used to habour over 10 police checkpoints in a given day. The Abubakar’s ‘new’ police has a new uniform. Today, the Nigeria Police steps out with a trendy camouflage. It is a far improved look from the old dark regulation wears. The new uniform seems to have come with a new spirit. There is a new culture in the force: a culture of civility. Maybe other para-military services will borrow a leaf from IGP Abubakar and spruce up their uniforms and image. The IGP and the police earned more kudos with the conduct
Abubakar: New chip off the old block of the July 14 Edo governorship election. Initially, so many were of the mind that the police will disappoint. This feeling arose from the hard evidence of past elections. This time around, the police under the helmsmanship of Abubakar, effectively provided security and showed exceptional neutrality. More to the point, there was not a single case of misconduct involving the police. The Edo experience reveals that the integrity of the man at the top will always influence the conduct of his subordinates. The police acquitted themselves well in this election because the IGP was on hand and took personal interest in the activities of his foot soldiers. Over the years, police barracks across the country have the well-earned reputation of glorified hovels, ghettoes and shanty towns. From Obalende in Lagos to Shell Camp in Owerri, and everywhere else for that matter, the squalid environment under which the nation’s crime fighters live is an enduring national scandal. This picture is one M.D. Abubakar has undertaken to change for good. Speaking during one of his numerous visits to police formations in the country, the super cop said: “Efforts are on to improve their (police) welfare. As I am talking to you, even at the police council they are looking at many issues, welfare, remuneration, barracks, office accommodation and transportation, everything you can talk of”. The IGP clearly appreciates that until these issues are cleared up and officers and men put in high spirits, the effectiveness of his men will remain poor. So far, his body language suggests that he is determined to tackle these perennial problems of the force. A mind well-tuned by adequate sleep and relaxation will discharge assigned duties better than one which lay awake through the night because
of leaking roofs and all. This, the IGP knows. That is why he is making serious efforts to change not only police uniform but police accommodation. Another landmark achievement of the new IGP is in the area of crime prevention. He has in a short time in office given new impetus to reduction in crime and criminality. When he said on assumption of office that he was going to fight crime head on, cynics did not take him serious. After all, the police is paid to fight crime and they have not shown excellence in it. The coming of Abubakar, not minding the distraction called Boko Haram, has recorded improvements in crime reduction. Criminal activities are on the decline. Everyday these days, you read about the police busting one criminal gang or the other. And this is happening without police checkpoints. The improved effort in undercover operations is bearing fruits. One hopes this will continue. Before he took over from Ringim, Boko Haram visited Louis Edet House, leaving huge cracks and destruction. Abubakar has seen to the repairs and reconstruction of that magnificent building. He has been able to remove the gapping sore on the psyche of the police by repairing that edifice. As he promised after his confirmation, a new vigour, action and efficiency is at work in the police effort to fight crime and protect lives and property. This has also given filip to the force’s image which is on a positive bend. Left to mature, his commendable initiatives will soon be a new song for an institution whose public image has received much battering over the years.We hope that much deserved confirmation of IGP Abubakar’s appointment will spur him and his able lieutenants to harder work and greater laurels in the months ahead. *Mr. Adibemma, a social Owerri, Imo State.
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