The Federal Government has ordered a temporary suspension of the enforcement and collection of helicopter landing fees imposed on oil and gas operators, following concerns from stakeholders in the petroleum industry that the charges could disrupt critical operations.
The directive was issued by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a high-level meeting with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and representatives of major oil industry groups at the aviation ministry headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement released by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the meeting brought together key officials from the aviation and petroleum sectors to deliberate on the implementation of helicopter landing charges prescribed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
The charges apply to helicopter operations conducted by International Oil Companies (IOCs) servicing oil and gas facilities across the country.
“The meeting provided a platform for stakeholders in the aviation and petroleum sectors to review the implementation of helicopter landing charges prescribed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency for helicopter operations supporting oil and gas activities,” the statement said.
The petroleum sector delegation included the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, alongside representatives of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) and the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG).
Also present at the meeting were senior officials from the aviation ministry, including the outgoing Permanent Secretary, Dr Yakubu Adam Kofarmata; the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr Umar Farouk; and officials of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), among other stakeholders.
During the discussions, representatives of oil companies raised concerns that continued enforcement of the statutory charges could affect helicopter operations that support offshore oil facilities.
“These operations are critical to servicing oil fields, terminals, platforms, rigs, Floating Production Storage and Offloading facilities, as well as heliports, helipads, airstrips and aerodromes used in oil and gas activities,” industry representatives noted during the meeting.
Following the deliberations, Keyamo directed that the enforcement and collection of the helicopter landing fees be suspended for an initial period of two months.
He also announced the immediate establishment of an inter-ministerial committee comprising representatives from the aviation and petroleum sectors to review the issues raised and develop a mutually acceptable framework for stakeholders.
“The suspension will allow the committee to thoroughly examine the concerns raised by operators and recommend a workable solution that protects the interests of all parties,” Keyamo said.
Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to stronger collaboration between their ministries, noting that effective regulatory policies are essential to maintaining operational efficiency in the aviation and petroleum industries, which remain critical drivers of Nigeria’s economy.
