Two years on from the CHC takeover of Schreiner, what have they achieved in Nigeria? From the comppany point of view, a big increase in fixed wing with more 737s on the way and a large number of new helicopters, with the last of the old Dauphins soon to be gone and replaced by newer machinery. An expansion of the facilities at NAF Base. However, ground operations close to being a shambles, inaduate provision for close to 50 pilots on site, new operations manuals still not approved but being used anyway! But there is closed circuit TV! Internet frequently breaks down which is not good in a comany which thinks it can do everything with a webcam and an intranet site. Everything ruled by HESS, but a safety management system which doesn't work. From the expats point of view, housing which is the same, except that now there is no manager on site and no camp boss the maintenance of the houses has deteriorated considerably (though at least the generators are now run morning and evening so the power supply is stable when people are getting ready to go to and returning from work). Rumors of a move to a new site somewhere out in the bush which will need a company of the Nigerian army to give decent security - but at least the transport problem will be solved as it will be too dangerous to go out anywhere after work! Food depends on who you ask, but the local management don't seem to care and have told the staff to deal with it themselves. Transport - the managers have nice shiny new jeeps, the staff transport is a total shambles and a considerable deterioration. Leave travel still a partial shambles thanks to the local travel firm they use. The so-called 4% pay rise actually closer to 3% and no increase in incentive pay despite increasing numbers of incidents such as those described by archos (which staff out here have not been told about by the managers). Progress? Judge for yourself
