This initiative is targeted at boosting revenue while also improving the security of the country's airspace through effective monitoring of helicopter movement.
The Nigerian Government has deployed at least 151 helicopter monitoring officers (HMOs) to various airports nationwide to begin the collection of helicopter landing levy.
This initiative is targeted at boosting revenue while also improving the security of the country's airspace through effective monitoring of helicopter movement.
The second batch of HMOs was inaugurated at the Port Harcourt International Airport by Senator Hadi Sirika, who was represented by Norris Anozie, Director of Human Resources of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
During the inauguration of the second batch of helicopter monitoring officers, Naebi Dynamic Concepts Limited, the firm handling levy collection as a receiver-manager on behalf of the government, revealed that 200 officers with all necessary certifications had been trained, with 151 deployed.
Mr Stanley Chike, the firm's managing director, stated that the initiative would provide accurate data on helicopter movement in the country's airspace, Daily Trust reports.
“We are all aware that we still have some security challenges within our navigational airways, as well as revenue loss within the subsector,” he said.
Chike stated that the company was collaborating with relevant agencies such as the FAAN and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to ensure the efficiency of its operations.
He urged the Nigerian government to issue a "no flight permit" to operators who owe landing levies, claiming that some operators have refused to comply despite being served with a notice.