The Federal Government has temporarily suspended the $300 helicopter landing fee for oil companies to avert disruptions in the petroleum sector.
The announcement was made by Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, during a high-level meeting in Abuja with Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), and a delegation.
The delegation included Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), as well as representatives from International Oil Companies (IOCs), the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), and the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG).
Oil reps voiced concerns that the NAMA-enforced fee covering landings on rigs, FPSOs, and helipads could hamper upstream operations.
After talks, Keyamo ordered a two-month pause and set up an inter-ministerial committee for review.
Introduced earlier, the fee was suspended in May 2024 over legality issues and private collection by NAEBI.
Revived in 2025, it shifted costs to oil firms but faced opposition from operators citing high expenses.
The committee’s work could reshape the policy, balancing aviation revenue with oil efficiency.
Administrator and Writer
