The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace yesterday temporarily suspended the enforcement of the collection of helicopter landing levies pending the report of the committee reviewing it.
The Guardian gathered that the suspension may be connected with the threat by oil workers under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (NUPENGASSAN) to ground operations over the newly imposed landing charges by the ministry.
The union argued that the landing charges would pose grave threat to the sustainability and viability of the helicopter transport sector, which is critical to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The minister had defended the introduction of the $300 helicopter landing fees at aerodromes, helipads, air strips, saying it would further help regulate helicopter operations in the country.
However, the Head of Public Affairs Unit in the ministry, Mr. Oluseyi Odutayo, in a statement, said following a meeting with the executives of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) on the issue, the Minister has temporarily suspended the enforcement granted Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd by the Federal Government as consultants to collect such levies.
“The suspension is with effect from May 30, 2024,” the statement noted. He maintained that the suspension was as a result of the clamour for a review of the policy by some stakeholders in the industry.
The statement said the minister has constituted a committee with members drawn up from the ministry and its relevant agencies, AON, International Oil Companies (IOCs) and Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd, who were charged to look into the issues raised by concerned stakeholders and submit a report on or before the end of this month.
He recalled that Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd was granted the exclusive right by the Federal Government as consultants to collect such levies, which stakeholders have expressed their reservations about.
“The recommendation(s) of the committee would proffer a way forward,” the statement added.
