After protests, the federal government suspends the $300 fee for helipads

The federal government has announced a temporary suspension of the controversial $300 helicopter landing fee imposed on helicopter operators.

Daily Trust reports that helicopter operators have protested against the levy being outsourced to a consulting firm, Messer’s NAEBI Dynamic Concept Limited.

Minister of Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo had previously defended the levy adopted by his predecessor Senator Hadi Sirika.

But he bowed to pressure on Friday and announced the suspension in a statement signed by ministry spokesman Odutayo Oluseyi.

He said further action would be taken on the matter after a committee of inquiry submitted its report for scrutiny.

The statement said: “Following a meeting with AON management on an issue of collection of heli landing fees at aerodromes, helipads, runways, etc., the Minister of Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has temporarily stayed the execution order issued by the Federal Government against Messer’s NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd. as a consultant to collect such fees.

“The suspension will take effect on 30 May 2024. The minister said this was the result of calls from some industry stakeholders for a review.

“Therefore, Keyamo has set up a committee with members from the Ministry of Aerospace Development and its relevant agencies, the Airlines of Nigeria (AON), International Oil Companies (IOCs) and Messer’s NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd, to investigate the issues raised by the concerned stakeholders and submit a report no later than the end of June 2024.

“Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd has been granted exclusive rights as a consultant by the Federal Government to levy such levies, with stakeholders having expressed concerns about the appropriateness of the levies. The Committee’s recommendation(s) would provide a way forward.”