- NUPENG and PENGASSAN oppose new landing charges on helicopter operators, citing industry threats.
- The unions urge the government to retract the fees to support sector growth.
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) condemned the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development’s new landing charges on helicopter operators.
The policy imposes a four-percent charge on helicopter operators’ gross revenue, plus additional levies and taxes. The unions argue these charges threaten the helicopter transport sector, which is crucial to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
NUPENG and PENGASSAN urged the government to “immediately withdraw this landing fee on helicopter operators serving the oil and gas industry.” They stress the need for a business-friendly environment, especially during tough economic times. NUPENG General Secretary Afolabi Olawale and PENGASSAN General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa signed the statement, showing their unified stance.
“This is very insensitive at a time when the federal government seeks investors in the oil and gas industry,” the statement read. “The oil and gas industry is vital to Nigeria’s economy, and helicopter operators play a crucial role in its success.”
Helicopter operators provide essential transportation, moving personnel and equipment to offshore platforms and remote locations. The unions warn that increased costs from these charges will be passed on to employees in the sector.
The new policy requires helicopter operators to pay landing fees at all Nigerian heliports, airports, FPSO units, and other platforms. To help generate revenue for the federal government. However, NUPENG and PENGASSAN see this as a deterrent to potential oil and gas industry investors.
The unions’ call for the charges’ withdrawal highlights their concern for the health of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and its broader economic implications.