FG suspends controversial USD 300 helicopter tax

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Aerospace Development, has announced the temporary suspension of the controversial $300 helicopter landing fee recently introduced by the Federal Government.

In a statement on Friday, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, through his ministry spokesman Odutayo Oluseyi, said the suspension was to allow for a review of the policy after stakeholders complained about its introduction.

Osun Defender points out that the Federal Government has introduced a helicopter landing fee of $300. According to a statement by the Press and Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Ministry of Aviation, the government has given permission to the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) to start collecting the fee.

READ: NDLEA arrests cocaine trafficking couple and others, seizes billions of naira worth of cocaine and fentanyl

The statement further said that NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited has been granted sole authority to administer helicopter landing fees for federal agencies on behalf of NAMA for the Federal Government.

However, after aviation stakeholders vehemently opposed the levy, Keyamo announced on Friday that the levy would be suspended with effect from May 30, 2024, to allow for a review.

He added that a committee has been set up to address the issues raised by the stakeholders concerned and to submit a report by the end of June 2024 at the latest.

The statement said: “Following a meeting with AON management on issues relating to the collection of heli landing fees at aerodromes, helipads, runways, etc., the Minister of Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has temporarily stayed the execution warrant 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 it was the result of calls from some industry stakeholders for a review.

“Keyamo has therefore set up a committee with members from the Ministry of Aerospace Development and its relevant agencies, the Airlines of Nigeria (AON), the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and Messer’s NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd, to study 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 the exclusive right as a consultant by the Federal Government to collect such levies, although the parties have expressed their reservations as to the appropriateness of these levies.

“The committee’s recommendation(s) would provide a way forward.”