The Federal Government has temporarily suspended the controversial $300 helicopter landing fee for oil and gas operations for an initial period of two months, following concerns from industry stakeholders over its impact on critical petroleum activities.
The decision was reached during a high-level meeting in Abuja on Monday, attended by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri. The discussion also involved representatives from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), International Oil Companies (IOCs), the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), and the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG).
Officials from the aviation sector were also present, including the outgoing Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Umar Farouk, and senior officials from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The $300 landing fee, imposed by NAMA, applies to helicopter operations servicing oil fields, terminals, rigs, Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facilities, heliports, helipads, airstrips, and other aviation facilities supporting oil and gas activities.
Industry stakeholders had warned that enforcing the levy in its current form could disrupt essential operations, including crew transfers and logistics, potentially affecting Nigeria’s oil production and exploration activities.
Following the meeting, Minister Keyamo directed that the fee be temporarily suspended for two months. He also announced the immediate establishment of an inter-ministerial committee comprising officials from both aviation and petroleum sectors to review the concerns raised and propose a workable framework for the levy that balances revenue collection with operational efficiency.
Both ministers emphasised the importance of collaboration between the aviation and petroleum sectors, describing them as crucial pillars of the Nigerian economy.
The suspension provides temporary relief to helicopter operators and oil companies while the committee works towards a sustainable solution that ensures uninterrupted operations in Nigeria’s vital oil and gas sector.