The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered a temporary suspension of the enforcement and collection of helicopter landing fees imposed on oil and gas operators across the country.
The directive was announced on Monday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a meeting with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, and representatives of key stakeholders in the petroleum sector.
The meeting took place at the headquarters of the aviation ministry in Abuja and focused on concerns raised by industry operators regarding the implementation of helicopter landing charges imposed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
According to a statement issued by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the aviation minister, the meeting brought together officials from both the aviation and petroleum sectors to discuss the implications of the fees on oil and gas operations.
The helicopter landing charges apply to aircraft operations servicing oil fields, offshore platforms, rigs, terminals and other facilities linked to petroleum exploration and production. They also cover operations involving heliports, helipads, airstrips and aerodromes used by companies operating in the sector.
Representatives of oil industry groups at the meeting raised concerns that the continued enforcement of the fees could disrupt critical operations, particularly those involving helicopter transportation to offshore facilities.
Among those present at the meeting were officials from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), as well as representatives of the Oil Producers Trade Section and the Independent Petroleum Producers Group.
Senior aviation sector officials also attended the meeting, including the Managing Director of NAMA, Umar Farouk, the outgoing Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, and representatives of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
Following discussions, Keyamo directed that enforcement of the helicopter landing fees be suspended for an initial period of two months.
The minister also announced plans to establish an inter-ministerial committee comprising representatives from the aviation and petroleum sectors. The committee will review the concerns raised by stakeholders and work toward developing a mutually acceptable framework for the policy.
Both ministers reiterated their commitment to cooperation between their ministries to ensure that regulatory measures support operational efficiency in the aviation and petroleum sectors, which are key drivers of the Nigerian economy.
