The Federal Government has suspended the enforcement of helicopter landing fees on oil and gas companies.
The directive came from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
He announced the decision after a meeting with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, and industry stakeholders in Abuja.
Oil Industry Raises Concerns
Oil industry representatives warned that enforcing the fees could disrupt operations in the petroleum sector.
The charges apply to helicopter services used for oil platforms, rigs, terminals, and offshore facilities.
The fees were introduced by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
Two-Month Suspension Announced
After discussions, the aviation minister ordered a two-month suspension of the enforcement and collection of the charges.
He also directed the creation of an inter-ministerial committee.
The committee will review the policy and propose a solution acceptable to all stakeholders.
Key Agencies Participate in Meeting
Participants included officials from Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Oil Producers Trade Section and Independent Petroleum Producers Group.
Both ministries said they would continue working together to ensure policies support Nigeria’s aviation and petroleum industries.
