Petroleum workers, under the auspices of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), have called for the immediate withdrawal of newly imposed landing charges on helicopter operators.
In a joint statement, NUPENG’s General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, and PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, condemned the Federal Ministry of Aviation’s decision to impose exorbitant fees on helicopter operators during a period of economic hardship for both businesses and citizens.
“These new charges, which include a four percent charge on the gross revenue of helicopter operators, as well as additional levies and taxes, pose a grave threat to the sustainability and viability of the helicopter transport sector that is critical to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” the statement read.
The workers highlighted a recent memo that directed helicopter operators to compulsorily pay for landing fees at all Nigerian aerodromes, helipads, airstrips, floating production storage, and offloading units, among other oil platforms, in a bid to generate more revenue for the Federal Government.
They criticized the timing of these charges, describing it as highly insensitive, especially as the Federal Government is currently seeking investors in the oil and gas industry and considering various incentives to make the sector more attractive.
The statement underscores the importance of reconsidering these charges to maintain the stability and attractiveness of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry during challenging economic times.
