By Obinna Uballa
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Tuesday explained why he directed the temporary suspension of the $300 helicopter landing fee for oil and gas operations, citing concerns raised by stakeholders over potential disruptions to critical petroleum activities.
In a post on X, Keyamo stated that the decision followed a high-level meeting in Abuja on Monday with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, and 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).
Keyamo said 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 executives from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“The team from the oil industry came to raise their concerns regarding the enforcement of the helicopter landing fee prescribed by NAMA for the IOCs in respect of all their helicopter operations on oil fields, terminals, platforms, rigs, Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facilities, heliports, helipads, airstrips, and aerodromes,” Keyamo tweeted. “Their concern is that the continued enforcement of the statutory fee may disrupt operations in the sector.”
The $300 landing fee, mandated by NAMA, is applicable to helicopter services supporting oil and gas activities. Stakeholders had warned that strict enforcement in its current form could hinder crew transfers, logistics, and other essential operations critical to Nigeria’s oil production.
Following extensive deliberations, Keyamo directed that the enforcement and collection of the fee be suspended for an initial two-month period. He also announced the immediate formation of an inter-ministerial committee, comprising officials from both the aviation and petroleum sectors, to review the concerns and propose a mutually acceptable framework for the levy.
Both ministers stressed the importance of cooperation between the aviation and petroleum sectors, highlighting their shared role as critical pillars of Nigeria’s economy. Keyamo added that the committee would ensure that any future framework balances regulatory compliance with the operational realities of the oil and gas industry.
“The suspension provides temporary relief to helicopter operators and oil companies while the committee works towards a sustainable solution,” he said.
