The Federal Government has ordered a temporary suspension of the enforcement and collection of $300 helicopter landing fees imposed on oil and gas operators.
The decision followed concerns raised by stakeholders in the petroleum industry.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, gave the directive at a meeting.
The meeting took place with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and representatives of major oil industry groups.
It was held at the headquarters of the aviation ministry in Abuja on Monday.
According to a statement signed by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister, the meeting brought together officials from both the aviation and petroleum sectors.
The purpose was to discuss the implementation of the helicopter landing fee prescribed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA.
The fee applies to helicopter operations carried out by International Oil Companies, IOCs, operating in Nigeria.
At the meeting, oil industry representatives expressed concern that the continued enforcement of the statutory fee on helicopter operations servicing oil facilities could disrupt critical operations within the sector.
Following deliberations, Keyamo directed the temporary suspension of the enforcement and collection of the helicopter landing fees.
The suspension is for an initial period of two months.
The minister also announced that an inter-ministerial committee would be constituted immediately.
The committee will comprise representatives from the aviation and petroleum sectors.
It is tasked to examine the issues raised and work towards an amicable resolution.
The resolution should produce an acceptable framework for all stakeholders.
Both ministers reaffirmed the commitment of their respective ministries to continue collaboration.
They emphasised ensuring that regulatory policies support operational efficiency in the aviation and petroleum sectors.
These sectors remain critical pillars of the economy.
