By Peter Omopo
The Federal Government has suspended the enforcement of helicopter landing fees for a period of two months following concerns raised by stakeholders in the oil and gas sector.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the decision in a statement posted on his official X handle on Tuesday.
Keyamo said the move followed a meeting held on Monday in Abuja between officials of the aviation ministry and a delegation from the oil industry led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.
According to the minister, the oil industry delegation included the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, as well as representatives of International Oil Companies operating in Nigeria, the Oil Producers Trade Section and the Independent Petroleum Producers Group.
Keyamo said officials of the aviation ministry at the meeting included the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, and representatives of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
He explained that the oil industry team raised concerns about the enforcement of helicopter landing fees prescribed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency for international oil companies operating helicopters across oil fields, terminals, platforms, rigs, Floating Production Storage and Offloading facilities, as well as heliports, helipads, airstrips and aerodromes.
According to him, the industry stakeholders expressed worries that continued enforcement of the statutory fee could disrupt their operations.
Keyamo said the Federal Government therefore decided to suspend the enforcement temporarily to allow for further consultations and discussions with stakeholders in order to reach a mutually beneficial resolution.
