There are palpable fears of industrial disharmony in the oil and gas sector as workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (NUPENGASSAN) have demanded an immediate withdrawal of the recently introduced landing fees imposed on helicopter operators servicing the oil and gas industry.
The new charges, NUPENGASSAN said, pose a grave threat to the sustainability and viability of the helicopter transport sector that is critical to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The fees include a four per cent charge on the gross revenue of helicopter operators as well as additional levies and taxes.
In a joint statement, general secretaries of NUPENG, Afolabi Olawale and PENGASSAN, Lumumba Okugbawa, strongly condemned the decision by the Federal Ministry of Aviation to impose exorbitant fees on helicopter operators, especially during this period of economic hardship on businesses and the citizenry.
They said the move was very insensitive at a time when the Federal Government is shopping for investors in the oil and gas industry and muting various incentives to make the industry attractive.
They recalled that a recent memo directed helicopter operators to compulsorily pay for helicopter landing fees at all Nigerian aerodromes’ helipads, airstrips, floating production storage, and offloading (FPSO) units, floating storage and offloading (FSO) units, and other oil platforms to generate more revenue to the federal government.
Noting that the oil and gas industry is a critical component of Nigeria’s economy, and the helicopter operators serving the sector play a vital role in its success, they stressed that the operators provide essential transportation services, moving personnel and equipment to offshore platforms and remote locations, ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the industry.
They argued that the unpopular decision had a detrimental impact on the sector, stating that the incremental cost was going to be passed on to the chartering companies who will in turn transfer the burden to the employees in the sector.
Expressing grave concern about the policy in the sector, the oil workers said: “As an association working for the growth of the nation’s economy, we strongly urge the Ministry of Aviation to immediately withdraw the landing fees on helicopter operators servicing the oil and gas industry. This would not only provide much-needed relief to the sector but also demonstrate your commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment and supporting the growth and development of this crucial industry.
