Aviation security expert, Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd) has queried the $300 helicopter landing levy slammed on operators by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
LEADERSHIP reports that NAMA, in a notice, on Wednesday, stated that it had been engaging operators in the sector since 2022, in collaboration with Naebi Dynamic Concepts Limited, to enforce compliance with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency Act of 2022, on the collection of $300 landing levy from helicopter operators.
The Airspace Management Agency disclosed that enforcing helicopter landing levies aligned with global aviation standards, as is currently practised in other International Civil Aviation Organisation member states across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
“Since 2022, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, in partnership with Naebi Dynamic Concepts Limited, has consistently issued multiple written communications to engage oil and gas operators on the statutory provisions of the NAMA Act. Regrettably, 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,” the statement read partly.
However, in an exclusive chat with LEADERSHIP, Capt. Ojikutu over the weekend, said the fee is another form of double taxation on helicopter operators.
According to him, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) collects five per cent of the operators’ charges. In contrast, NAMA collects ATC/Navigational Charges, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) collects charges for any helicopter landing at an airport.
He, however, queried the essence of the $300 helicopter landing levy introduced by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
“This is double taxation or double charges. These helicopters are not owned by the oil companies but rather by private operators who are chartered by the oil companies. The NCAA collects 5 per cent on these charges, and NAMA collects ATC/Navigational Charges. What other charges do the political office holders want to be collecting through a private company?
“What have they achieved through Avitech, which collects charges for the NCAA and FAAN. What are they looking for or what are the charges in forex meant for on local operators in local flights? Again, these helicopter operations are chartered and are paid for by the oil companies. What is the meaning of the $300 charges? For what? Is it a daily flight payment or hourly payment, and for what or is it not a form of tollgate collection?” he asked.
