FG Retreats, Suspends $300 Helicopter Landing Fee
Bowing to pressure from operators in the aviation sector, the Federal Government has announced a temporary suspension of the controversial $300 helicopter landing fee.
Angry over the contentious levy, the helicopter operators confronted the government while protesting against the outsourcing of the process to a consultant, Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Limited.
But in an obvious change of mind, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, who had initially defended the levy inherited from his predecessor, Senator Hadi Sirika, on Friday bowed to the mounting pressure.
Announcing the suspension in a statement by the Ministry’s Spokesman, Odutayo Oluseyi, the Minister explained that further actions on the matter would be taken after a review committee submits its report for scrutiny.
According to the statement; “Following a meeting with the AON executive on the issue bordering on Helicopter landing levies collection at Aerodromes, Helipads, Air Strips, etc, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has temporarily suspended the enforcement granted Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd, by the Federal Government, as consultants to collect such levies.
“The suspension is with effect from 30th May, 2024. This, the Minister said is as a result of clamor for review by some stakeholders in the industry.
“Accordingly, Keyamo has constituted a Committee with members drawn up from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and its relevant Agencies, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), International Oil Companies (IOCs) and Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd who are charged to look into the issues raised by concerned Stakeholders and submit a Report on or before end of June, 2024.
“Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd was granted the exclusive right by the Federal Government as consultants to collect such levies which stakeholders have expressed their reservation on the appropriateness of the levies.”
The statement concluded saying; “The recommendation(s) of the Committee would proffer a way forward.”
