*Says Open To Talks With FG To Resolve Dispute
BY GODWIN IJEDIOGOR
IN a latest development to the embarrassing seizure of three presidential jets on the orders of a court in Paris, France, Zhongshan, the Chinese company at the centre of the dispute with the Federal and Ogun State Governments, and indeed, Nigeria, has announced the release of one of the aircraft.
This came as President Bola Tinubu prepares for a scheduled meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited had taken possession of the seized jets- a Dassault Falcon 7X, a Boeing 737-7N6/BBJ and an Airbus A330-243, following a contract dispute with the Ogun State government over a contract signed in 2013 to develop a free trade area.
However, the company alleged that Ogun State backed out of the deal, leading to a “campaign of illegal acts” against them, and initiated arbitration proceedings against Nigeria in 2018, resulting in a $70million damages award in 2021, which has grown to $81mn, with interest.
But on Friday, August 16, Zhongshan, according to a company spokesperson, said one of the jets was made available after it was brought to its attention that Tinubu required it for a planned meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
According to the spokesman: “Zhongshan has consistently sought to act reasonably and fairly in the course of a legal dispute with Nigeria which was not of its making.
“It has now been made aware that an Airbus A330, currently detained in France as a result of a French court order obtained by Zhongshan, is needed for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to travel to a scheduled meeting with President Macron of France early next week.
“As a gesture of goodwill, Zhongshan has lifted the seizure of that aircraft immediately. This will allow it to be used for the President’s trip.
“Zhongshan remains committed to talks with representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria, this time serious and substantive on both sides, with a view to reaching a reasonable compromise settlement rapidly.”
