The controversy surrounding the $300 helicopter landing fee imposed on oil and gas operations has been taken to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, leading to the temporary suspension of the policy.
Following the meeting between both ministries and key industry stakeholders in Abuja on Monday, the Federal Government ordered a two-month suspension of the enforcement and collection of the helicopter landing fee.
The meeting, held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, was attended by senior officials from the aviation and petroleum sectors, including the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Farouk Umar, and the outgoing Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Yakubu Kofarmata.
Also, present were representatives of major oil companies operating in Nigeria, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Oil Producers Trade Section and the Independent Petroleum Producers Group.
Industry operators had approached the aviation ministry to express concerns that the continued enforcement of the helicopter landing fee could disrupt critical oil and gas operations, particularly offshore logistics that rely heavily on helicopter services.
Recall that the airline operators had earlier rejected the new fee before the ministry transferred the same to offshore oil companies. While the companies continually lament the fee, operators said the fee has no basis whatsoever.
The fee, prescribed by NAMA, applies to helicopter operations servicing oil fields, terminals, rigs, floating production storage and offloading facilities, as well as heliports, helipads, airstrips and aerodromes used for petroleum operations.
The PUNCH gathered that the fee, which had been fought to a standstill by stakeholders, was attempted to be resurrected last week, a development which disrupted helicopter operations for hours, particularly in the Port Harcourt region.
Following the complaints at the meeting, Keyamo directed that the enforcement of the fee be suspended temporarily to allow further consultations.
According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the suspension would last for an initial period of two months.
The statement partly reads, “The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development directed the temporary suspension of the enforcement and collection of the helicopter landing fees for an initial period of two months.”
To address the concerns raised by stakeholders, the minister also ordered the immediate constitution of an inter-ministerial committee involving officials from both the aviation and petroleum sectors.
Moshood said the committee is expected to examine the issues raised and work out an acceptable framework for all parties.
“The Minister further announced that an inter-ministerial committee comprising representatives from the aviation and petroleum sectors will be constituted immediately to examine the issues raised in detail and work towards an amicable resolution that will produce an acceptable framework for all stakeholders,” the statement added.
