The Federal Government has announced a temporary suspension of the enforcement and collection of helicopter landing fees related to oil and gas operations, for an initial duration of two months.
This decision was made in response to concerns voiced by various stakeholders in the petroleum sector.
The announcement came following a meeting held in Abuja between the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, at the Ministry's headquarters.
Participants in the meeting included representatives from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria, the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), and the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG).
Officials from the aviation sector were also present, including Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, the outgoing Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Engr. Umar Farouk, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and senior officials from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
There has been significant controversy surrounding the $300 helicopter landing fee imposed on companies that offer shuttle services to oil and gas operators within Nigeria.
These charges are applicable to helicopter operations at various facilities, including oil fields, terminals, platforms, rigs, Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units, as well as heliports and airstrips utilized for oil and gas activities.
Stakeholders have expressed concerns that imposing this fee in its present form could disrupt essential oil and gas operations.
In light of these discussions, the Minister of Aviation has directed the temporary halt of the enforcement and collection of helicopter landing fees for two months, as confirmed by his media aide, Tunde Moshood.
Additionally, it was announced that an inter-ministerial committee would be established, including members from both the aviation and petroleum sectors, to address the concerns raised and develop an acceptable framework for all stakeholders involved.
Both ministers reiterated their commitment to fostering collaboration between the aviation and petroleum sectors, emphasizing that these industries are vital components of the Nigerian economy.
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to comment.
Be the first to comment on this article!