The new $300 landing fee imposed on helicopter operators by the Federal Government through its concessionaire, NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited, may be attracting a low-level of compliance.
According to Vanguard, some helicopter operators expressed dissatisfaction with the new fee, insisting that they want to join the Airline Operators of Nigeria to frustrate the directive.
The newspaper quoted a source as saying that though some operators had begun payment, others were still taking steps to ensure a reversal of the policy by the federal government.
The source said, “I can tell you categorically that the helicopter operators are divided. While some have complied and already paying the charge for any operation, others are seeking to sabotage the federal government initiative by soliciting the intervention of the owner of one of the biggest airlines in the country to arm-twist the minister and mislead the public about the state of affairs in the aviation industry through negative media publicity on this matter. Why would any airline owner allow himself to be dragged into this matter when the helicopter operators are not the ones to pay this levy? They are merely collection agents.’’
Efforts to get comment from the Aviation ministry on Wednesday, about the alleged concern and the level of compliance by the helicopter operators proved abortive, as Tunde Moshood, the spokesperson for the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, said he was in a meeting, and has yet to reply messages as of the time this report was filed.
Recall that Mr Keyamo in the directive said, “It is imperative that all operators and stakeholders fully comply with this mandate, by granting total access to Messrs NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited for the collection of this levy, on behalf of the Federal Government, effective immediately.
“Non-compliance with this directive will constitute a breach of this mandate and will be met with appropriate sanctions. The ministry will enforce compliance without exception and will pursue all available remedies against any party that fails to adhere to this directive. Please note that the Ministry of Aviation will be monitoring compliance with this mandate closely and will take swift action against any violation.’’