Federal Government seeks enforcement of helicopter landing levies

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Federal Government seeks enforcement of helicopter landing levies 









The Federal Government has given a seven day ultimatum to helicopter operators into oil fields, terminals, platforms , rigs , floating production storage and offloading (FPSO), units helipads, airstrips and aerodromes to communicate their proposed payment plans and modalities for applicable air navigation levies to the firm : Naebi Concepts Limited authorised to collect the fees.
In a public notice issued by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), on behalf of the Federal Government , the agency cautioned that failure to comply within the stipulated time frame will trigger appropriate enforcement measures, including denial of flight clearance for the affected operators.
The proposed enforcement measure, the government said will be taken , not merely to enforce regulatory compliance, but to safeguard national security , enhance aviation safety , promote operational sustainability as well as ensure continued efficiency of Nigeria's aviation eco- system in alignment with international obligations and globally accepted best practices.
According to the public notice, NAMA said since 2022, , it has in partnership with Naebi Dynamic Concept Limited consistently issued multiple written communication to engage oil and gas operators on the statutory provisions of its Act.
Regrettably, the agency said these proactive efforts have not yielded the desired compliance , due to the influence of certain individuals  who have worked with them against adherence to established regulatory requirements.
Citing Sections 8 and 9 of the NAMA Act 2022, the agency said it is the only organisation exclusively empowered by law to provide and manage air navigation services and air traffic control for aircraft take- off and landing at all public and private aerodromes within the Nigerian airspace.
" A person other than the agency shall not provide air navigation services in respect of Nigerian airspace or any other airspace which Nigeria has responsibility to provide such services."
The government said where operators persist in unauthorised usage of  Nigeria's airspace, particularly through private helipads or platforms operating without requisite clearance from NAMA , and in breach of national security protocols, the agency shall seek the approval of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development to shut down and relocate such facilities utilized in connection with unauthorized navigation operations within the country's airspace.
The notice reads : " Sanctions will be applied to defaulting operators including denying or with holding flight clearances to any operator until outstanding charges have been paid by the operator or a security or guarantee has been given to the satisfaction of the agency for the payment of the charges or fees."
The government said the enforcement of helicopter levies aligns with global best practices and is currently implemented across International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), member states in Europe, Asia and the Americas .
The notice reads : " These levies are essential to sustaining the maintenance , upgrading, and acquisition of modern air navigation infrastructure , critical for the safe and efficient management of Nigeria's airspace, particularly given the growing operations of drones, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft."
The agency said : " NAMA in line with its statutory mandate wishes to notify all stakeholders , especially oil and gas operators of the need for full compliance with the provision of the NAMA Act on the prompt payment of helicopter landing levies for air navigation services rendered by the agency within the Nigerian airspace and covers operations at oil fields, terminals, platforms, rigs, floating production storage and offloading units , helipads, airstrips and aerodromes.








 

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