Adherence To Rule Of Law Key To Economic Growth – Babalakin

The chairman, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), Dr Wale Babalakin, has urged the incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to adhere strictly to the rule of law in order to achieve a just society and drive the nation’s economy rapidly.

Babalakin, when speaking at the launch of an art gallery at the terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, said when the rule of law is followed, institutions would thrive, business would grow, the atmosphere would be peaceful and ultimately, investors would heed the calls and be willing to come and establish businesses in the country.

He maintained that, following and ensuring rule of law would deliver a prosperous economy and future for the country.

“I hope that those who have power and who have constitutional authority will know that you encourage enterprise when you follow the rule of law and once you follow the rule of law, your country will become an investment destination, but if people are looking at us from afar and saying they can’t come here when simple agreements are not being honoured, it’s not good for anybody in the country.

“We are operators and not political people, we will continue to make our case based on law and we believe that our case is insurmountable, truthful and it is only the best for the country.”

He further stated that, the vision of MMA2 was to advance from having just a take-off and landing terminals, rather, to put in place a one-stop airport facility, where travelers before traveling or while arriving could do shopping, relax, work, network, as well as engage in virtually in all business activities in a standard mall and working environment.

According to him, the decision to maintain global standards at the terminal boiled down to discipline and a deliberate plan to design it in a way that makes it functions properly.

“You can also see that we have been very discipline. We have disallowed passengers from operating on our tarmac. We bus them or find a way of transporting them.

“We think it is backward to have passengers walk through the terminal. It’s also dangerous. It only takes one accident, then, the country would be embarrassed,” he added.

Babalakin said, its easy for passengers to operate seamlessly at the MMA2 terminal because it was designed by some of the best architects in the world.

“The design was a major assignment, we didn’t just start building. We sat down with the best of architects in the world to design a terminal that will have the flow. It is the flow that has made it easy for you to operate here.

“You can see the link between the car park and the terminal, so you’re not going through a disjointed journey because you want to travel. You can see that from when you come up the escalator It’s a seamless process till you board the plane,” Babalakin said.

Speaking at the launch, the initiator, Engr. Agu said, the Gallery was to promote arts, culture and innovation.

Agu emphasised that the project was meant to have an interaction, create a platform for young artists to interact with the art collectors; for the connoisseurs of arts, enthusiasts, to project ‘our arts.’

To him, “MMA2 is a right place to be. It’s a unique place; a pacesetter and first of its kind in the country. Airport is a peculiar facility meant to be the parlour of the country, a parlour of stage, just like you make your room and leave your parlour for the stranger. As a welcoming space, it ought to be a foremost projector of our culture.”

The engineer who have delved into arts for over 32 years ago restated that the Gallery was to create a platform where arts can lead, thrive and interact with the people.