In a decisive move aimed at easing operational challenges in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered a temporary suspension of helicopter landing fee enforcement for a period of two months. The directive comes in response to concerns raised by industry stakeholders about the impact of the fees on critical petroleum operations.
The announcement followed a high-level meeting at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, attended by Keyamo, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, and a delegation of executives from the oil and gas industry. Key participants included the CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, representatives from International Oil Companies (IOCs), the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), and the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG).
Senior officials from the aviation sector were also present, notably the outgoing Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Yakubu Kofarmata, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Umar Farouk, and key personnel from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The meeting was convened after operators in the petroleum industry expressed concerns over the enforcement of helicopter landing fees, which NAMA had prescribed for helicopter operations supporting both offshore and onshore oil and gas activities. These charges apply to helicopter movements serving oil fields, terminals, offshore platforms, drilling rigs, Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facilities, heliports, helipads, airstrips, and other aerodromes involved in the sector’s operations.
Industry representatives warned that strict enforcement of the fees under the current framework could disrupt vital operations, potentially affecting the movement of personnel, equipment, and supplies critical to Nigeria’s energy production.
After thorough deliberations, Keyamo directed that enforcement and collection of the helicopter landing fees be suspended immediately for an initial two-month period. He also announced the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee comprising representatives from both the aviation and petroleum sectors to review the concerns raised and propose a mutually acceptable framework for fee structure and regulation.
Both ministers underscored the importance of stronger collaboration between aviation and petroleum authorities, emphasizing the need for regulatory policies that safeguard operational efficiency while supporting industries considered pivotal to Nigeria’s economy.
This temporary suspension is expected to provide immediate relief to oil and gas operators while allowing the government time to craft a more balanced and sustainable approach to aviation fees within the energy sector.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, suspends helicopter landing fees for oil and gas operators for two months to ease operational challenges.
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