Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has suspended the enforcement of helicopter landing fees for oil companies operating in the country.
This decision follows concerns raised by petroleum industry stakeholders that the fees could disrupt critical operations in the sector.
The fees, prescribed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), apply to helicopter operations on oil fields, terminals, platforms, rigs, and other facilities.
The minister announced that an inter-ministerial committee will be set up to review the issue and work towards a resolution acceptable to all stakeholders.
The impact of this decision is significant, as helicopter services are crucial for transporting personnel and equipment to offshore oil installations.
The suspension aims to prevent disruptions to oil production, which could have far-reaching economic consequences.
The oil and gas industry is a vital contributor to Nigeria’s economy, and any disruptions could affect the country’s revenue and economic growth.
Keyamo says the suspension is effective for an initial period of two months, and both the aviation and petroleum ministries have reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration in ensuring regulatory policies support operational efficiency in their sectors.
