BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Despite resistance from aviation industry stakeholders, the Federal Government has lifted the temporary suspension previously granted to Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited, consultants responsible for collecting helicopter landing charges for air navigation services related to oil company operations in the Gulf of Guinea.
This was disclosed in a statement by Abdullahi Musa, Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NAMA.
He noted that a directive from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has been given to Messrs Naebi Dynamic Concepts imited to immediately resume the collection of levies for air navigation services related to helicopter operations by oil companies.
The enforcement applies to helicopter activities at various offshore and onshore locations, including oil fields, platforms, terminals, rigs, Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units, heliports, helipads, and aerodromes, consistent with the terms of the firm’s contractual agreement.
According to the directive, Naebi Dynamic Concepts Ltd is mandated to invoice oil companies directly for the applicable levies.
However, helicopters operated by members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) are specifically exempted from this collection by the consultant.
This development follows a temporary suspension announced in June 2024 by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in response to objections raised by the AON over the controversial levy.
The suspension was part of an effort to address stakeholders’ concerns and ensure wider consultation within the industry.
Naebi Dynamic Concepts Ltd had originally been engaged by the federal government as a consultant for monitoring and collecting statutory fees tied to helicopter landings and related air navigation services.
The initiative, aimed at improving regulatory oversight and revenue generation in the aviation sector, particularly within oil and gas helicopter operations, has faced sustained resistance from industry players questioning its legality and necessity.
