What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria) [Archive] - Page 7

chcmanagement

31st Dec 2006, 14:00

In the spirit of our hopes for a better 2007 for all employees, irrespective of gender, politics or religious persuasion, we'll be having a great party in the Gay Bar this evening. In the interests of safety, alchohol will only be served until 2000 (and then only on individual member's cards), to a limit of 2 units of alchohol per member. However, free milkshakes and cherry sodas will be provided by management until midnight. There will be a fantastic discotheque playing live Village People hits most of the evening, culminating in the smash hit "Ready for the 80's" to highlight our forward-thinking management strategies. At midnight, there'll also be free sparkling maple-flavored shakes, maple icecream as the band plays and we all sing "O Canada". Unfortunately, it's much to dangerous for us to be there to celebrate with you, and tho' we'll be there with our wives, we'll be there in (non-alchoholic)spirit with you and all your male friends.
Talking of security, we're now beefing up personal security for access to the staff house and bar. In view of the recent car bomb explosions and the announcements by MEND that they will be starting their suicide bombing campaign soon, I've written to Geri and authorised him to instruct Pointed security to conduct full body searches. These will be carried out discretely behind the same sort of curtains that add so much to our vehicle security. Pointed security operatives have been instructed to always use new disposable gloves for each search, to keep fingernails well trimmed, have a plentiful supply of vaseline and to avoid picking their noses when on body search detail. I've received reports that some staff have been trying to smuggle in females, which we all know is terribly dangerous and irresponsible. The body search should take care of this issue. Just in case there are still some unreformed ex SAW people out there, I've authorised stewards to carry out a search of all personal belongings and report to me if they find that anyone is harbouring dildoes. These could be terribly dangerous and packed with dynamite.
I'd like to remond all that HESS have recommended the wearing of PSE to the bar, because of the danger of some people becoming frolicksome and throwing objects, or ceiling fans becoming detached. Please remember to wear hard-hats and safety boots, instead of baseball hats and sneakers. Hard hats may, of course, be removed in the dining room.
Enjoy the party in our tropical paradise one and all. A Very Happy New Year.

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

31st Dec 2006, 14:18

chc,

I'm trading in my dildo for a Greenpeace membership card. Bristow don't allow them on their premises you know ;)

Now where do I sign up ? I love milkshakes :ok:

Cheers,

NEO

SASless

31st Dec 2006, 14:55

NEO,

You use a blender to make your shakes or do them by hand?

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

31st Dec 2006, 15:16

Sas,

Like yours, mine are all in the wrist action :cool: They've been sought after for many years due to the way they just hit the back of the consumer's throat ;)

I see you've been spreading alarm and despondency on the Mil Aircrew board; not going to try that here I hope ?

Why not channel all that pent up aggression and rejoin your old comrades at Bristow ? Who knows, they might even send you to Mauritania so you can help your former brother in arms purge the place :D

Have a REALLY Nice New Year :ok:

Cheers,

NEO

SASless

31st Dec 2006, 16:07

Purge?

Sacre' Bleu! Merde!

Where is Madame Guillotine when you need her?

Indeed....hope all you folks in Nigeria have a good New Years...and have recovered from the annual company funded Christmas Bash!

I can just visualize NEO with the pull string in his mitts and wearing a nice conical hat (Dunce Caps we called them in school). No insult intended mind you NEO...simply trying to ensure a commonality of defintion amongst our many readers.

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

31st Dec 2006, 19:11

I wish you all, whatever race, religion, colour, nationality or any other politically correct term a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

In other words, I hope EVERYONE will please be safe and may your wishes and resolutions all come true :ok: :ok: :ok:

Off down the pub.

NEO

cavertonmanagement

31st Dec 2006, 21:03

To celebrate the imminent arrival of our Jumbolino daddy and I hope any of you in Lagos will come and celebrate the arrival of New Yaer with us at Victry Bar in Ikeja. The walls won't be the only thing is blue :E . All drinks is free and no soft drinks may be consumed on premises, except as mixers. For free admission just make sure you bring one fine, pretty girl partner, for free bar card next time you come, bring 2 fine, pretty girl patner with very fine nyash and for free drink for next 6 months, bring 2 fine pretty girl patner with beautiful, fine african nyash :D :E :O . For lifetime free drinks gring one very fine, very huge, fat brown envelope. There will be many bottles of fine african champagne popped at the midnight hour. After the New Year has been seen in there will be special pointy shoe competition and the winner will be presented with the excess balance of fine, pretty partners and a ticket for honeyman sweet in Eko Sweets hotel.

Mr SAS, forget this Mauritania things. For long I have been reading your many fine postings and, despite your advanced years and lack of experience with correct use of pointy shoe, and daddy and I want you to come back to our fine country and hep us get the Center of Aviation Excellence back in the Center of things again. You are welcome to return to Nigeria and daddy will fix this burst tire for you once and for all :ok:

A Very Happy, Excellent African 2007 to you all from the daddy and me at the Center of Excellence :O

unstable load

31st Dec 2006, 21:37

chc,

I'm trading in my dildo for a Greenpeace membership card. Bristow don't allow them on their premises you know.

NEO, surely a greenpeace card would label you as one of those rabid tree/bunny sha sorry huggers and thus NEEDS to be banned at all costs!

Very sensible of BHNL management to limit the upsurge of such free thought and seditious action.

Happy new year to all of you and safe flying.

UL

bristowmanagement

31st Dec 2006, 23:58

Hope it's not too late, but there were a lot of issues to discuss with Higher management about whether a New Year party or wishing New Year greetings could in any way be construed as breaching the code of business integrity. It's possible that a party could imply that we want something from you to which we're not entitled under your contract of employment (which makes no reference to free parties in the benefits section). This could then expose you to prosecution by the IRS as an undeclared benefit.
Contrary to any mis-representation by outlaws, expatriate or otherwise, we have never approved of dildoes, but contributions to Greenpeace (as a registered charity) even though it's a Dutch (gay marriages - of which we do not approve) do not automatically bar one from employment with our fine company and may, indeed qualify under certain jurisdictions qualify as a deductible expense. Irregardless of whether one regards this as something which could be regarded as a breach of the code, we do not regard it as such and are confident that any court in Texas, irregardless of any previous precedent, would concur with our observations.
We plan to have a fine non-denominational Christmas and New Year party for all our Nigerian employees in Texas sometime later in the Year, once the legal and accounting implications have been fully investigated and we are sure that we will suffer no liability. Signed........management

The Adviser

1st Jan 2007, 06:08

To all of my old chums still in Escravos and PH, Keep yur heads on a swivel and stay safe in 2007 !!!:ok:

told

1st Jan 2007, 10:19

Buon ANNO / Happy New Year everyone ...
Ciao from Italy
Damiano

:ok: :ok: :ok:

told

1st Jan 2007, 10:22

:suspect:
Can anyone update me with actual AW139 situation in Nigeria ?
Two or more helicopters are already in "5N" country ??? ... operated from who ???
Thanks a lot for your help.
Ciao
Damiano

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

1st Jan 2007, 11:31

So I can have a Greenpeace card with Bristow ? I don't have to go to CHC ? Thank goodness, I was worried about splinters with hugging those trees. I've heard Dutch Elm disease ruins the complexion :rolleyes:

Never much cared for pointy shoes.............

Cheers,

NEO

froggy_pilot

1st Jan 2007, 12:09

Happy new year for all of you flying in Africa and specially in Nigeria.
For those who don't have the luck to fly in Nigeria paradise, please come we need more crazy people here. :ok:
HAPPY NEW YEAR

Phone Wind

1st Jan 2007, 13:11

froggy

Happy New Year to you too.

I guess the milk shakes and gay bar will attract lots of crazy new pilots to go to the tropical paradise :E . Is CHC changing the uniform to tight leather trousers and lots of chains?

VSOP

1st Jan 2007, 15:57

Phone Wind
Not yet
We are waiting for you :E
Cheers and a Very Happy New Year for all
V.

chuks

1st Jan 2007, 16:51

The new year is off to a running start! My new employers, God help them, said that my contract would start on the 8th of January. I thought that was cool, leaving me just enough time to get those chips nicely centred on both shoulders and all, like a truly well-balanced Yank.

I returned from a ski holiday to find some weird stuff on the PC including a visa application for someplace hot and dusty in a combination of Arabic and French. What to make of that?

Well, I got one of my tri-lingual children to help out in filling in the little spaces. Then I called the Embassy in Berlin, when someone answered! Once I told him in German that, no, I don't speak French (I didn't even bother asking about English) he told me to call back tomorrow. That must have been the janitor, then.

I am very relieved to see that forward planning with the new lot is about the way it was with the old. Now if they just have a bar full of rude misfits, even though I think this is a job with a proper company that has only airplanes and no helicopters, I should feel right at home.

So that should be me sorted, at least for a while. I hope you are all managing okay without me back in the Centre of Excellence. My thoughts are with you, hoping that you all keep your heads down to the maximum extent consistent with still not bumping into things.

I get a jacket with zip-off sleeves and a detachable fake fur collar as part of my uniform issue. How about that then? Is that 'tits' or what?

Is this something where you disassemble the jacket once the desert sun comes up? I have been informed by someone here that the temperature drops to single figures at night but during the day I think it gets pretty warm year-round.

There must be a Company SOP for this, I am sure. Written, no doubt, by a Kamerad. Stand by for a report on this! Meanwhile, have a safe and happy 2007. If you see an insurgency coming, turn and go the other way.

SASless

4th Jan 2007, 14:49

Nigerian militants say foil plan to free hostages

03 Jan 2007 09:15:13 GMT
Source: Reuters

ABUJA, Jan 3 (Reuters) - A Nigerian militant group said on Wednesday it had foiled a plan by Italian oil company Agip to free four foreign hostages who have been held in the creeks of the oil-producing Niger Delta since Dec. 7.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which wants jailed leaders from the region freed in exchange for the three Italians and one Lebanese, said Agip had paid middlemen to try and get its four workers out.

A Nigerian spokesman for Agip, a unit of Italy's Eni , declined to comment.

"(The plan) involved paying 70 million naira ($545,000) to those supposed to be guarding the hostages for the hostages to be guided to a point where a boat was to be stationed to take them out of the creeks," the MEND said in an email to media.

"A middleman brought 70 million naira to one of our camps where the attempt was immediately reported. Needless to say, the money has been confiscated and will be put to better use."

The MEND said such plans endangered the lives of the hostages as their guards had orders to shoot them if any attempt was made to release them without authorisation.

Attacks on oil facilities and abductions of foreign oil workers have plagued the Niger Delta for years, but the violence worsened in 2006 and is expected to escalate further in the build-up to Nigeria's general elections in April.

Nigeria, an OPEC member and the world's eighth-biggest exporter of crude, gets all its oil from the Niger Delta but the vast, impoverished region of mangrove-lined creeks and swamps has long been neglected by the central and local governments.

Poverty and frustration at an industry that creates few jobs while polluting the environment fuel militancy and crime.

The MEND, a faceless group which emerged in late 2005, launched a series of raids on oil facilities last February which shut down over 500,000 bpd of oil output -- a fifth of Nigeria's oil production capacity. That output has yet to resume.

The MEND captured dozens of expatriates during a series of sophisticated raids in January and February last year. All were released unharmed on undisclosed terms after up to five weeks.

Kidnappings for ransom are common in the Niger Delta, but after the latest abductions the MEND said it did not want money for the four hostages. Instead, it reiterated demands for the release of two jailed leaders from the Niger Delta and compensation by companies to residents for oil spills.

Since the Dec. 7 abductions, the MEND has also detonated three car bombs in the delta's main city, Port Harcourt, prompting oil majors Shell and Total to pull out hundreds of relatives of their expatriate staff.

The MEND said on Tuesday that Roberto Dieghi, one of the Italian hostages, was suffering from various ailments and it would allow doctors from the humanitarian organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Doctors Without Borders, to visit him.

The MSF head of mission in Port Harcourt said the group had not been contacted by anyone from the MEND.

The MEND said on Sunday that it had moved the four hostages after discovering that a local government official had managed to smuggle a mobile phone to them. The militant group said the four would not be allowed any contacts with the outside world until their release.

So much for the "What do you have for me?" attitude! This is very interesting news!:uhoh:

etienne t boy

4th Jan 2007, 21:51

SAS,

Interesting yes, but also a rather nasty, frightening and sinister development for many here. MEND is a sort of umbrella organisation and many previous kidnappings which have been carried out in its name may, or may not have been sanctioned by its top leadership. The trouble is that the leadership seems to be changing its stance rather like the Harmattan has changed the visibility. Not too long ago they said that they would be ceasing all kidnappings, now this? :confused: . The original statement may have been tied to a statement attributed to Dokubo Asari that he did not want violent means used to try and secure his release. Maybe MEND doesn't regard kidnapping as a viloent crime :yuk: :ugh: .

There's a website which is not updated too often, but often carries pronouncements from the MEND spokeperson. Some of its links may give some insight into what the mindset of a significant number of Ijaws is:

http://www.unitedijawstates.com/

It's good that this may signal a change in the policy of kidnapping for ransom, but when the demands of the kidnappers are politically unacceptable it does seem to make Nigeria a much more dangerous country in which to be kidnap than it was before :uhoh: .

This development also makes it much more difficult for CHC and Bristow to recruit, even if higher salaries are on offer. Until now, many people thought that being kidnapped was just a matter of waiting things out (albeit in some considerable discomfort) until the requisite ransom was paid. Now things are getting more like they were back in the bad old days in the Middle East when hostages were held in Lebanon for months or years. How many remember Terry Waite, the man who was a hostage negotiator, then himself taken hostage and held captive for nearly 5 years?.

Mama Mangrove

4th Jan 2007, 22:21

Yes,
Terry Waite, there's a name I haven't heard for years. His case illustrates just what a dangerous job hostage negotiators do. When Terry Waite was appointed to the Archbishop of Canterbury's personal staff he travelled extensively on condition he negotiated the release of any hostages he heard of wherever he went. He accidentally crossed the border into Iran in 1980 and negotiated the release of a number of western hostages. In 1982, his map-reading skills not having improved, he accidentally entered Libya where he secured the release of more British hostages. He was held hostage in Beirut for nearly 5 years, 4 of them in solitary confinement, during which he was tortured both physically and mentally on a regular basis.
To all those of you still working in Nigeria, I'd just say, don't think it's like it was - the good old days have gone, maybe for ever. Maintain a low profile, fly safe, watch out for each other and let's hope that things will improve after the elections.

Tokunbo

5th Jan 2007, 12:13

ENI (the parent company of Agip) have told the BBC that no money has been sent, it has had no contact with the militants and has been working with the Nigerian authorities and the Italian foreign ministry to ensure the hostages' release.
The problem, as etienne says, is that MEND is an umbrella organisation. It uses a variety of armed groups to actually carry out its attacks and many of them are difficult to control, with no real loyalty to MEND except for payment. When not employed by MEND many of them carry out their own kidnappings for ransom, work for local politicians, or are involved in the vast illegal bunkering operations in Nigeria. They are simply guns for hire with no political agenda :*

SASless

5th Jan 2007, 14:31

Tok,
That actually makes the situation far worse....much better you get grabbed by an organized well disciplined group with strictly defined goals and methods.
If one takes a logical view of all this....it is easy to see a trend developing.

It is the old Frog in the Pot concept.

Tokunbo

5th Jan 2007, 18:43

SAS,

I agree, it's just what etienne was saying. MEND is quite well organised and has a definite agenda (though its view on kidnapping has changed a few times in recent months). It's certainly made some people here decide to look elsewhere or quit.

But why do you think our comrade Mr Froggy Pilot will be singled out? :E

We have had another kidnapping today. Five Chinese who may have been working on repairs to a vandalised power line were taken this morning. Initial indications are that this may be a kidnapping for money by youths from the local community :yuk: .

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

8th Jan 2007, 01:45

So there aren't exactly hoards of pilots and engineers breaking down Management's doors to take up the 8/4 option at CHC or BHNL. I wonder why ? Could it be that the compensation for a 35% loss of leave/longer work period doesn't quite compute with a 20% on BASIC from BHNL and a pro rata, i.e. NOTHING extra offer from CHC ? Arrived at with the flick of a senior manager's pen no doubt. :ugh:

There are also murmurings (which will quickly become roars) in BHNL that the promised loyalty bonus which was to be paid in December wasn't and hasn't been mentioned or written about since. Not forgetting the accrued leave which was to be purchased and paid in the same month. Not the way to treat people who are already teetering. :=

CHC appear to be playing catch up, trying to counter whatever BHNL offer by matching it and then adding a few dollars. But the us and them attitude of their management rankles with the coal face guys. Until it changes people will be looking around Arreta and wondering if the grass might just be greener elsewhere.

Here endeth the lesson :ok:

NEO

SASless

8th Jan 2007, 03:29

NEO,
Would Bristow Management break a promise? Surely you jest.....I was always told they were the Industry Leaders for integrity that pilots talked of when having a cold one every now and then! I mean afterall....didi they not take a pledge after the Great Purge and promise to the shareholders and Mssr's Sarbanes and Company to adhere to a very strict Code of Ethics?

I swear I heard that was the case. Did some one "lie" about that?

Perhaps old habits die hard....listening to the folks tolling away at the coalface has never been their strong suit.

Quote:
• The Company failed to follow procedures that addressed concerns raised by employees about improper activities, and certain members of our former senior management failed to set the proper ethical tone.

chuks

8th Jan 2007, 06:57

Dear NEO,

You can have a 'hoard' of cash, but it is 'hordes' of pilots and engineers. I think that red-white-and-blue management-think is seeping into your coconut despite everything you can do to rinse it out again. Did they give you, perhaps, a new plaque for the desk with a title on it?

I remember once getting a very generous offer to climb the greasy pole that involved switching to married/accompanied (which sounded to my unpracticed ear very much like 'married to Company'). When I did the math it looked like giving up most of my leave for a paltry pay raise. Since I just wasn't into inflicting pain and suffering in a formal and organised way I passed on that one and the rest is history.

Could it be that these desk jockeys are still living in the recent 'I have a pile of resumés THIS HIGH on my desk!' past? There always seems to be a certain lag in the response to whatever really is new in West Africa but even the dullest soul should catch on to news of car bombs and kidnappings at some point and have a re-think of his terms and conditions.

Cheer up, you guys! I heard that my permanent (given that 'No condition is permanent') posting might be Saudi. What fun! No need to watch CNN for the reaction of the Man In The Street when the Persians get a new patch of glowing green glass where once an Atoms For Peace plant was buried; I will be right there on the spot to see what happens next, especially if the Yahoodies get permission to transit Saudi airspace on their way to do the deed. What would a few car bombs look like compared to that?

Remember that good, old country song, 'His Troubles Were Greater Than Mine'? This could be something like that, when I shall be moaning louder than ever before and missing a certain troubled patch of swamp.

Phone Wind

8th Jan 2007, 12:15

Well it looks as if 2007 has got off to a good start in Nigeria! :hmm: . Most of we aviators are sitting around seeing little but Harmattan and wondering if we're going to get out on leave okay/get back from leave okay/just plain old get out and fly again :\ . This has to be one of the worst Harmattans in recent years. The Harmattan has but one benefit really - if we can't fly nobody has to worry about how we can manage to get all the flying done when we don't have enough pilots to man all the aircraft. The trouble is that the Harmattan will eventually go away - the pilot shortage won't :uhoh: .
Meanwhile, the local militants have been hard at work. The 5 hostages taken from Brass are now spending their 41st day in captivity, with no change in MEND's demands for the Nigerian government to free a former state governor and an accused terrorist. 5 Chinese were also kidnapped, but their abductors have now demanded an unspecified ransom. It's been a bad year for the military too. Near Ughelli 5 soldiers and a Shell employe were killed and 4 soldiers are still missing. They were escorting the Shell employee along the Ughelli - Patani road when they were captured and taken into the bush where they were murdered. This is supposedly a revenge killing for a number of local youths who were killed by the police as armed robbers. Meanwhile, the Navy continues to have its personnel and gunboats captured by militants in the swamp area, with another 2 Navy and an unspecified number of SSS personnel captured by terrorists in 7 speedboats near Soku yesterday. This is all happening while the Ijaw National Council claims that it is working secretely to 'dissuade' the culture of kidnapping foreign workers, because it makes Nigeria look bad in the eyes of the international community. Never mind, the Minister of Aviation has severly criticised the staff of Virgin Atlantic and BA for being rude to Nigerian passengers - it's good to see that the government has got its priorities right :yuk:
In Port Harcourt there have been long queues at some supermarkets as some expats are being bussed to get their shopping in large groups with armed police and military escorts. The Rivers State Police Commissioner has made a directive to landlords in the state not to accommodate any foreigner without the knowledge of the command. He said that the action was to prevent the kidnapping of the foreigners by militants. The commissioner said, ”Members of the public are hereby strongly advised to desist from accommodating foreigners without informing the police. The measure is to ensure that the militants do not use them for a ransom". As the police are suspected to be in collusion with some of the kidnappers this would seem to be a matter of providing a nice map of where to go and pick-up the next kidnap victim :=
Never mind, CHC think an extra US$7,700 a year, and Bristow think a change to 6/6 and an extra US$5,000 a year (plus a few bits and pieces) is enough to persuade outsiders to go and doubters to stay in a country which is now classed as one of the 10 most dangerous in the world for expat kidnappings. At those rates, I guess they'll be manning a few ancient helicopters with a few ancient (no offense NEO :E ) diehard pilots and engineers before too long.
chuks,
Sounds as if you're off to have fun then :E . What happened to the evenings in lonely African desert wastes, sitting out in your sleevless anorak and listening to the music of Diabate? Is this to be just a short interlude en-route to the sandpit? A few months of that will be good for your soul! All old enmities will rapidly be forgotten and before you know it you'll be back in the BRC, arms round the shoulders of a well-known German test pilot, reminiscing about the good old days and sinking more than a few cold Gulders as you sink back into the bosom of your African family :E

chuks

8th Jan 2007, 13:55

It would seem that beautiful downtown Hassi Messaoud is just a way-station for newbies to be trained and observed. If I do not exhibit any suicidal or homicidal tendencies then they move me on from there to my regular duty station, a place no one else wants, since I shall be the newest of newbies.

This would seem to mean that Saudi is less preferable to Angola. Jeez!

You are at much risk of a mid-air collision with a pig as of seeing me back. I left deep psychic scars on that small-souled son of the Fatherland, such that I don't get to go back before he leaves. Given that he's one of those types nobody much wants that means that I am safe from myself and my insane 'nostalgia de la boue de Isolo' for the indefinite future. It looks as if it should be NEO who turns off the generator for the last time, then. I had thought that job was reserved for me but I was wrong. Not that I seem to have missed the collapse by much, mind you!

If I were that way made it would cheer me up no end to read about all the trouble coming down in southern Nigeria. As it is, I can only wish some of my gloomier predictions were not coming true. Who needs all this trouble? All of the big men behind today's situation are sure to have things all sorted out with second homes someplace nice and settled, leaving their unhappy brothers and any expats fool enough to stick around to struggle through. Good luck with that one.

SASless

8th Jan 2007, 14:15

Chuks,
If you should pass through Bahrain coming and fro'ing from Saudi....please to stop by Rick's Country Kitchen for BBQ and pickup an application to join the Generals Ward and Chennault China Post 1 of the American Legion, Shanghai, China (Operating in Exile). Membership costs but a mere 25USD and Rick's has some very good BBQ and Margaritas.

Do stay away from Ned Kelly's....they serve an awful imitation of beer...a thing they call Foster's.

Keep yer eyes peeled for an evil wee Aussie who claims to be a helicopter pilot and a TA osifer in the OZ mob. He is an evil little man who will lead you astray with drink.

murdock

8th Jan 2007, 19:32

anjouan

8th Jan 2007, 20:36

murdock,

It seems to me from what you've said that what you're missing to be hired for Nigeria is twin time and an ATPL. Your best bet is to try Bristow as they could hire you to fly 206/407 initially or offer you a copilot post on S76.

Hover Bovver

8th Jan 2007, 20:49

Murdock,
Is Nigeria not JAR related with ref to licencing? Maybe that is the problem?
HB

Phone Wind

8th Jan 2007, 20:59

Hovver Bovver,

No, Nigeria is not JAR-related wth regard to licencing. Either you have a Nigerian licence (not issued to expats for several years now) or they will validate any verified, current, ICAO licence after you have passed a Nigerian Air Law exam. However, you must have a licence which either of the major companies can keep current. CHC prefer Canadian and Bristow either FAA or JAA.

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

9th Jan 2007, 13:13

murdock,

Check your pms

NEO

SASless

9th Jan 2007, 14:13

Murdock,
I have a well worn Nigeria ATPL, Instrument and Instructor's rating I would be willing to sell.

A bit of dash and you would be right at home!

Mama Mangrove

11th Jan 2007, 08:38

Some people find it difficult to believe that Nigeria is as dangerous as has been said. Bristow and CHC are not paying extra money for staff to go there without good reason (and they're still not paying enough in my opinion :eek: ). I had many happy years in Nigeria and I was sad to leave, but I'd have to think twice in present circumstances. So you can see what the government is failing to deal with, here are some excerpts from an ABC e-mail interview with the leader of MEND:
ABC Online Interview With MEND
The following are excerpts from an e-mail interview conducted by Brian Ross with a person who calls himself Jomo and the leader of MEND. While it is impossible to verify with absolute certainty that the author of the e-mails is in fact who he claims to be, messages from the same e-mail address accurately informed ABC News and other organizations of impending MEND attacks in Nigeria and provided photos of hostages the author says are in his group's custody.
"Ross, Brian E" wrote:
Are you the leader or commander of MEND? What is your background?
From: Jomo Gbomo [mailto:yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007
To: Ross, Brian E
Subject: RE: Good afternoon from Brian Ross at ABC News
I am the leader of Mend and all militias in the niger delta. No authority supersedes mine.
"Ross, Brian E" wrote:
Let me start by asking you to describe the goals of your organization, its size and its current activities.
From: Jomo Gbomo [mailto: yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007
To: Ross, Brian E
Subject: RE: Good afternoon from Brian Ross at ABC News
The movement for the emancipation of the niger delta (MEND) is an amalgam of all arm bearing groups in the niger delta fighting for the control of oil revenue by indegenes of the niger delta who have had relatively no benefits from the exploitation of our mineral resources by the nigerian government and oil companies over the last fifty years.
We are spread across the 6 states of the niger delta and have in our ranks approximately five thousand fighters, two thousand of whom are presently active. Our camps are regularly overwhelmed by volunteers who we have to turn back for now as there is presently no need to increase our fighter strenght.
Our aim on inception was to attract international attention to the plight of the people of the delta and the injustice the world has been turning a blind eye to. That obviously had no effect on the nigerian government and oil companies so we have progressed to the next stage of our campaign which is limited attacks on oil installations and administrative facilities. This also appears to be doing little good and we are now considering the next phase which will be a more ruthless approach to our objective.
"Ross, Brian E" wrote:
What do you mean when you say you are considering a "more ruthless approach"?
From: Jomo Gbomo [mailto: yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007
To: Ross, Brian E
Subject: RE: Good afternoon from Brian Ross at ABC News
We have sent out numerous warnings to oil companies and everyone who cares to listen. We want the oil companies to leave the niger delta now. We have been careful when setting off car bombs to avoid civilian casualties.
When our fighters attack creek based installations, they have also been careful to avoid what americans call collateral damage.
We have a growing radical majority in our ranks who are of the opinion that our soft methods are not working. They appear to be correct because the nigerian government and oil companies are still not taking us seriously. We have the capacity to be as ruthless and as callous as attacks witnessed in iraq. We are capable of setting off as many car bombs as we wish and pack them full of shrapnel to maximize casuality. Our fighters can set rigs on fire with all the occupants onboard. This is a final option which we are toying with.
The world must act now or we will be forced to go down this road from which there will be no return.
"Ross, Brian E" wrote:
Given that statement, is it fair to call your group a terrorist organization?
From: Jomo Gbomo [mailto: yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007
To: Ross, Brian E
Subject: RE: Good afternoon from Brian Ross at ABC News
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It depends on who is looking at us. To the oppressed impoverished people of the niger delta, we are angels. If we are terrorists to the oil companies and the nigerian government, so be it.
Our intention is to chase out the oil companies from the niger delta and if it takes terror to achieve this objective, we will very well employ that option.
"Ross, Brian E" wrote:
At this time, how many hostages do you hold?
From: Jomo Gbomo [mailto: yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007
To: Ross, Brian E
Subject: RE: Good afternoon from Brian Ross at ABC News
We have four hostages but were working on getting more. Why do we take hostages and why do we need more? The nigerian government pretends to be operating a democracy while what we have in reality is an autocratic despot lording over hapless nigerians.
"Ross, Brian E" wrote:
What is the current status of the four hostages you are holding? Are there photos of them to prove they are alive? Are their Lives at risk?
From: Jomo Gbomo [mailto:yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007
To: Ross, Brian E
Subject: RE: Good afternoon from Brian Ross at ABC News
They are well. We will allow doctors from medicins sans frontier to visit them soon for a check up. They are alive and we sent out pictures to prove we were holding them and they are well. They are presently being watched by guards under instruction to shoot them if any attempt is made to release them without proper authorization. It is unusual for us to execute prisoners in our custody. It has never happened in fact. They will eventually be released when our conditions have been met.
"Ross, Brian E" wrote:
Given the importance of Nigerian oil to the United States, don't you think the US military or intelligence agents will make attempts to stop your group? Some have suggested that MEND even has ties to al Queida.
From: Jomo Gbomo [mailto:yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007
To: Ross, Brian E
Subject: RE: Good afternoon from Brian Ross at ABC News
We understand and are very well prepared for this eventuality. The blacks of the united states had to fight for their freedom as did the blacks of south africa in spite of the odds stacked against them. We are fighting a just cause and are prepared to fight against the us army if we have to.
Al queida is now an excuse for us involvement all over the world. That and george bush's war on terror. The niger delta is in the south of nigeria and we are dominantly christian. Any muslim from the delta is a convert to islam and i assure you they will be in the early hundreds at the most. How can we then be aligned with a radical islamic group so far away from us?
What we are fighting for needs no explanation. It is there for all to see and i am willing to bet that the us army will mutiny when they see the living conditions of the people of the niger delta. How can you explain a situation where we account for all nigerias wealth and we live without electricity in shacks made of cardboard and straw? How can you explain my people drinking from salty creeks in which they bath and defecate?

For those wishing to see an ABC news video of what's happening, including more details of MEND and interviews with an ex-hostage, here's alink to the video:
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2780376

Musket33

11th Jan 2007, 16:38

Hi Mama,

Your recent post explains why I left Nigeria almost two years ago. I started flying for BHL in 1990 and it was easy to see the political changes taking place (ie.the Biafra now posters). MEND seems to be the first attempt to improve the conditions of the Niger Delta's population and not just a gang of thugs. Two tours flying in Viet Nam has shown me the power of nationalistic and political causes. If the MEND organization ratchets up the level of violence it will attract the sensationalism seeking world press.

As to the justness of MEND's cause? I never thought of myself as a bad guy, but I'm not so sure I was working for the good guys. I hope a peaceful resolution can be found to this unpleasant situation in the Niger delta. Until then fly safe and keep your heads down.

Cheers,
musket33

SASless

11th Jan 2007, 17:56

Amen! Musket. My sentiments exactly.

One only has to visit Opukushi (for one example) and see the abject poverty and complete lack of any expenditure of money by the village chiefs, tribal leaders, oil company, or the government of any kind.....while literally Millions upon Millions of dollars worth of oil have been pumped out of the wells surrounding the village.

One will be told the money was spent but the evidence proves it never got to the common folk.

I am solidly in support of the need to better provide for the people of the delta....perhaps the likes of MEND and others of their persuasion are the only way that will happen.

AlRuts

11th Jan 2007, 21:41

Just wondering why MEND is not taking on the Government and their families. Any protective connections?

Musket33

11th Jan 2007, 23:58

Hi Airuts,

When MEND attacks the Oil Companies and the "expat support" they are taking on the government. They are attacking the government at their weakest point, THE POCKET BOOK! Even though expats aren't working directly for the Nigerian government, their work is supporting the main source of government revenue.

Cheers,
musket33

SASless

12th Jan 2007, 01:12

Heckfire.....the oil companies have replaced the "TPC" in power.

TPC being "The Telephone Company"!

kjw57

12th Jan 2007, 14:56

Just to throw something out there, even though it sounds like most of the time people working in Nigeria and the like for Bristow and CHC seem unhappy, I have actually wanted to come and work there. The tricky part is that even though a lot of people are saying that both companies are short on pilots, I have been applying for a position for quite some time. Maybe I dont have the requirements for working with these companies, but I have friends who were hired with a lot less time and experience than I have. So I am not sure what the deal is and would be interested to hear on any feedback and advice with who to apply to and should I bother trying anymore. To give you an idea on my background I am a 2100 hour pilot, flying A-stars. Got a lot of bush experience, fighting fires, long lining, oil and gas support, a couple of hundred hours offshore and a few hundred night. I hold a FAA CPL(H) & Instrument Rating and a Canadian CPL(H). Any words of wisdom are welcome. Thanks all and here's to a good New Year!

Murdock

Steve Medlin
HR Manager - International
Bristow Helicopters Limited
Redhill Aerodrome
Redhill
Surrey
RH1 5JZ
Tel: +44(0)1737 822353
Fax: +4(0) 1737 822694

Why don't you call Mr. Medlin directly and ask?

I am also a Canuck driver (although with IFR ATPL exp. all of it expired)
but Bristow felt I could be of some use.

I declined their invitation to visit the dark continent as I have zero in- country experience, and felt the learning curve would be a little sharp given the existing conditions.

BOL

SASless

12th Jan 2007, 16:56

I have heard Medlin called a lot of things....but never "Mister". Another first for Rotorheads I guess.

murdock

13th Jan 2007, 01:41

Thanks for everyones help and input about the job front. I have been talking to quite a few good people who have been very helpful. Hopefully I will get somewhere with all this in the end. We will see what happens. In all, I am not overly worried about the situations in Nigeria, just looking for a somewhat steady job, that pays decently.
Thanks again everyone, and maybe I might get the chance to meet some of you working out that way soon.

SASless

13th Jan 2007, 02:24

We will be looking for a detailed report from you after your first trip.....would like to hear how the perception of what it "is going to be like" as compares to "what it was really like". Mind you....everyone has their own personal views on working in Paradise....although some public opinions are quite different than those provided in private.

With any luck you will get to miss Hamatan, get there in the weather break before Monsoon season kicks into high gear.

It sure ain't Kansas ToTo!

Droopy

13th Jan 2007, 05:08

Taff Missed

13th Jan 2007, 08:16

Murdock,

You'll be OK now. I think the parrot disappeared around the same time as the hangar at the strip. Could still be alive though........

Outwest

13th Jan 2007, 14:58

CHC has announced a pay increase for the crews in Nigeria. $150/day IP now and a 1 month bonus if you do 2 years in country. That could be around a $10,000 bonus. Lets see how this news is accepted. Money talks, BS walks.
I say good on YVR, the boys in Nigeria deserve this.

MamaPut

13th Jan 2007, 19:16

All CHC have done is to match the increase that Bristow got in an attempt to not only stop leaving because of the security situation, but also because the new Bristow pay rise made them better off. Are you talking Canadian $, because if so, that's about $US 8,500, which is only $350 a month for risking kidnapping and being held for months by MEND or killed in crossfire as the JTF make another heroic blunder. For all the good it's done Bristow, I don't see it being enough as there's not exactly a horde of pilots and engineers desperate to get to Nigeria. Both companies need to get their act together and come up with a lot more if they're going to be able to even keep the people they have, let alone get in more. BC says he does not want to get into a weeing competition with Bristow over pay and the CHC increase has made sure of that. Who will make the next move?

ruma

14th Jan 2007, 07:04

Toks,

'Tokunbo' is a Yoruba euphemism for 'Brand-New-Second-Hand' I have no intention to insult your person.

stacey_s

14th Jan 2007, 09:41

Murdock, if you ever get to Eket it's quite possible that a parrot called Bertie may still be alive, they do after all live a long time. Don't take personally the fact that he was trained to say "Murdock's a w@nker".....
Bertie flew the coop many years ago, when he was seen sitting on the top of his cage by the pool by a 'resting' pilot, when aformentioned pilot was asked as to why he did'nt put him back in the cage the reply was "he looked like he was enjoying himself"!! he was that was why he flew off!!!

Tokunbo

14th Jan 2007, 09:48

ruma,

I dey sabi my name well well - new second hand sums me up perfectly :} . I wasn't aware you had insulted my person :confused: . Any more news on which helicopter was rumoured to be involved in the unfortunate death in Abuja with the tail rotor incident? Have you heard if Caverton's new Ecureil has arrived yet? I hear that it has already left Tires, but all the Harmattan may have slowed it down.

Perro Rojo

14th Jan 2007, 11:26

Be very careful about counting that one month bonus until you find out EXACTLY what it is. YVR are past masters at insinuating one thing and actually meaning something else entirely. Get it in writing!

Is the bonus, "Salary" plus "Away from Base" pay? Or is it Salary only? If it is Salary only (the most likely case) it would only amount to approx $3600 CDN after two years in Nigeria. That's right up there with the $55/month long term service award that one gets after ten years service.

And a reminder for all the Canuk people working in Nigeria right now, your OETC tax break is only on the first $80,000 income, anything over and above that is fully taxed at the highest rate, so essentially you will only receive about 55% of it depending on which province you live in. That $150 per day all of a sudden becomes $80/day. Ooops!

MamaPut

14th Jan 2007, 11:35

Red Dog,

That's another point missed by many. At least you Canuks have a tax break. Brits have to either spend more than 270 days a year out of country or pay full tax on eveything, so the companies arguments about a tax-free salary mean nothing. I hear that Bristow hoped that the chance to work 8/4 may have attracted quite a few people because of the tax problem, but as they didn't offer proportionately more salary for 8/4 (as NEO says, only 20% extra for 30% more work) they have had only a few volunteers.

Outwest

14th Jan 2007, 11:36

Be very careful about counting that one month bonus until you find out EXACTLY what it is. YVR are past masters at insinuating one thing and actually meaning something else entirely. Get it in writing!

It is in writing. If you are a CHC employee you will find the memo on the Intranet site.

The bonus is based on your total salary, including Daily, IP and LTS.

ruma

14th Jan 2007, 13:57

Toks,
The Aba and not Abuja incident is now a forgotten case! The case file against 'Caverton' on the issue is missing!:confused: Do not ask me why. During the cause of investigating the owner of the yellow Ecuriel, it was understood that the pilot in question on that flight has long resigned from their employment!:= .It was rumoured too that the chief executive of Afrijet is also a childhood friend of Remmy! Their offices side by side at the airport.
It was also rumoured that the 'Let 410' has gone back since it can not serve LNG for her Bonny- Lagos shuttle. The right of landing in Bonny was denied by Mobil and the crew too were not co-operating on the available payload out of Naf Base.
The crew that went for the ferry of the Ecuriel are yet to arrive. Initially it was a technical hitch in Europe and lack of fund was another problem for the crew. The AW 139 is coming as the last option for LNG before the end of the first quarter of this year. Sunny can only run but not hide from flying the 139 when she come to the shore of Nigeria. The two Dauphins are on their way back to Portugal since they fall short of the legislation of Nigeria. A 'Dash' product from Canada is also on their list of aeroplanes for the year. Wonder if the 'bridge' between their apron and the western taxi way will be ready before the arrival of the aeroplane.:hmm: Otherwise 'millions' of cowries will be required to pay Concord Airlines for a space like it was with the 'Let410'

SASless

14th Jan 2007, 14:59

That two years in country....is that two calendar years counting leave time or two years "on duty in country" as the old Bristow contracts defined Two Years.:oh:

cavertonmanagement

14th Jan 2007, 15:58

Is a lie! In the centre of excellence nothing will go missing unless daddy wants it/him to go missing. Is true our first DO went missing because daddy wanted it - he was a rude man and didn't say nice things to daddy.
We let the Let go because of not suiting our purpose well well. The crew were like the first DO and daddy did not like them. Is true we could not land at Bonny, and we looked for alternative work for the Let. Being the fine, forward-looking, modern aggressive, centre of excellence we are, we lloked at extending the VI helipad for the Let (just like the modern city airport in that fine, modern city that daddy and I like - London). Sadly, daddy's friends were not good friends and did not take a proper business view of our excellent business proposal (they have not been to modern, overseas university and done top-class degree like daddy and me), so use of the helipad will have to attend arrival of our top-class, VIP S92. We have now decided the S92 and Dash 8 are just interim measure now and we will be first customers in Nigeria for for BA609 tiltrotor and Airbus 380. The residents of Lagos will so love the quiet tiltrotor as it cruise past their house in whatever livery we can find sponsor for. The 380 will be used for a new internal shuttle service (carrying on from our fantastic, innovative, modern helicopter shuttle), where we shall start in Lagos with full passenegrs and then carry on flying on circular route to Ibadan, Sokoto, Kano, Zaria, Kaduna, Abuja, Benin, Warri, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Enugu, Makurdi, Jos, Bauchi, Maduguri, Yola, Calabar, Lagos. Everyone will be so happy and we shall have demonstrate to everybody again how clever and forward-looking this company truely is.
Sunny does not need to run anywhere - it is not dignified for senior staff to run and is difficult if wearing pointy shoe, which we encourage all senior staffs to do so they can be looking as snappy dressers as myself.
Is a lie! - there is no shortage of money for the Jumbolino, just those INAC peoples who do not understand brown envelope concept and are so unhelpful, not like our own CAA at all, at all. Is taking time because Uncle terry is old man now and need to have proper paid rest with small party everywhere in Africa. Also for Steve is difficult because there is plenty bad weather with dust and every meteorological hazard which is ruining his fine suit, so he need to make long stops just for the dry cleaning.
So, pay no attention, everything is going too well with our modern innovative company. daddy says Happy New Year in arrear to everyone (except those people he doesn't like and will soon make to disappear). As you see, is plenty happening and we are now taking application from suitably qualified pilots with experience on S92, AW139, Jumbolino, BA609, Airbus 380 and every thing.

Mama Mangrove

14th Jan 2007, 16:11

SAS,
I hear that the modern Bristow management concept is to keep everybody hanging on by rumours of promises. Promise everything - deliver nothing :} . There seems to be very little in the company that's propagated by anything but rumour, except among the few top managers. I also hear that Oni's going, so the brightest guy in the company is about to be lost to them. It doesn't seem to be putting off a number of people who are poised to leave CHC for them - maybe that's because of the marshmallow management style of CHC (soft and spongy, sweet with no real substance).

Cavert....... etc,
With all this expansion going on, any chance of getting NCAA to let an older person, such as myself in to help you expand? Don't somehow think pointy shoes would suit me, but I'd be prepared to have a haircut and dress really snappily. I don't have the 380 on my licence at the moment (in fact I don't have a licence any more), but with all my experience in Africa I'm just the guy you're looking for. Will I be doing my 380 course in Toulouse. Just PM me if you'd like a copy of my CV :ok:

SASless

14th Jan 2007, 18:01

So I suspect you are saying Bristow is in the promised promises of promises promised mode of management then? Perhaps even that promise will remain unfulfilled?

If Bristow lets Oni leave.....they again make a very bad decision. I certainly wish him well and will look forward to hearing of his prospering wherever he finds himself. Perhaps his new employers will realize his real potential and make use of his talent and ability unlike Bristow.

Tokunbo

14th Jan 2007, 18:38

SAS,
I think you read too much into what MM was saying - I hear it's just Nigeria he's leaving, and going on to better things within the Bristow group, the better to develop and make use of his potential :ok:

Tokunbo

15th Jan 2007, 21:43

I think the Aba 'incident' was actually down to an aircraft other than the yellow Squirrell - maybe one of the reasons for another change of pilot on a privately operated 407?
Still no news of Uncle Terry and Strange Steve - any sightings in Lagos yet?

SASless

15th Jan 2007, 23:57

It is long overdue for him (and some others as well)!

noooby

16th Jan 2007, 06:42

Outwest,

Where exactly on the intranet?? I've been looking high and low and can't find it.

Outwest

16th Jan 2007, 10:12

noooby,
Global Operations>Flight Ops &Resources>Admin Memos......memo 6th from the bottom.
Also, the ET pay for Nigeria has been temporarily increased to $450/day.
Cheers

Phone Wind

16th Jan 2007, 16:56

Hm, ET pay very temporarily increased - wonder if it's due to be dropped to coincide with the elections in Nigeria being finished then (or will they; there are some stories now about the possibility of the elections being postponed to August) :ugh:

The new 350 (or Jumbolino, if you will :E ), appears to be having some trouble getting to Nigeria. I hear it's stuck and unlikely to be here for quite some days as yet. That'll make 2 helicopters Caverton will be operating then. Wonder where all the finance for the new hangar in Port Harcourt is coming from then as I hear the Dauphins either are, or shortly will be, on their way back to Portugal (wonder if Caverton or Heliportugal are paying for that?).

I think the yellow peril was not the one involved in the problem in Aba and a pilot who was flying the other helicopter seems to have suddenly left the country - wonder if the problem and his departure are linked?

noooby

16th Jan 2007, 19:56

Thanks Outwest, managed to find it with your instructions :)

dynamicd

17th Jan 2007, 07:56

It is no news that the Federal Government of Nigeria airwing now have their own helicopter-AB139 in its fleet:D . Needless to say that the two helicopters in her fleet from NNPC being flown and maintained by Paan/Aero will be withdrawn to patrol the pipelines all over the country. The 139 is for the airforce and flown by them too:= . I saw the white coloured AB139 at the presidential wing during the holiday and what came to my mind was the 'Osubi' incident with the Mill-35 on her ferry flight en-route Port Harcourt from Lagos. On another occassion a crew was swopping seat in a Super Puma with rotors running!:ugh: The rest is history and i hope it will not repeat itself-this time with 001 on board! Looking at the background and flying experience of the crew. We have many of them-airforce- in the general aviation and their capabillities when it comes to instrument environment! I hope the aviation adviser to Mr. President is reading this forum too.Now after two sorties with the President, the AB139 is grounded! Is it 'Tokunbo'? before my next coment. Who knows the outcome of these crews training in Italy? I heard them flying in and out of 'Aso-Rock' on night training the last time.

Heard their performance was dismal and the navy might be called to operate the AB139.

TomBola

17th Jan 2007, 16:06

Last night a boat carrying Hyundai Heavy Industries personnel from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island was attacked by a number of other speedboats carrying armed men. During the attack one Dutch civilian and one Nigerian Navy man were killed. The Captain of the boat died today. 6 others were injured. Helicopters are needed even more out here now, because more expats, and many Nigerians, are refusing to be transported by boat. Unfortunately, it's getting more difficult to find enough people to come and work here and as more newcomers do come, the overall experience level decreases. If not for the harmattan causing many helicopters to have been grounded for much of the last 3 weeks, I'm sure there would have been red faces as the companies tried to find new excuses for them being grounded because of lack of crews :eek: . This is not surprising when only token measures are taken to improve security of staffs :uhoh: . Aero takes security so seriously that their security officer kindly posted a nice list with the names of all staff, their house numbers and a request for telephone numbers, on a noticeboard accessible by anybody. Bristow as usual, just talks about what it might do. Caverton does nothing. With all the unrest in the area I wonder if the people back in YVR are wondering if their investment of several million dollars in Port harcourt is safe? If I were an investor in the company I would be asking about it.

Looking at the Caverton website, I see that it's really up to date. The major focus is still on the A109E - which left the country last year after it was sold. There's a nice photograph of their grounded Dauphin, the departed 109 and the yellow AS350 (the only helicopter still flying - unless the one 'on its way coming' is flying somewhere today :} ). With no more income from NPA, a large, unused hangar, offices, luxury passenger lounge and waterside heliport in Lagos, all built at enormous expense, plus the passenger facility which they refurbished at NAF Base Port Harcourt and a new hangar being built there - where's all the money coming from :confused: ? I'm sure that one leased AS350 doesn't generate the income to fund it all. They must been down millions of dollars over the few years they've been around. There was also the recent fiasco with the Let410 they brought in, without even having secured permission to use Mobil's airstrip on Bonny Island. They must have at least 5 or 6 pilots just to man one helicopter which operates single crew. Still, it's good to see that 'cavertonmanagement' is still optimistic about the future :} . Presumably it's just a rich man's hobby rather than a serious money-making enterprise.

soggyboxers

17th Jan 2007, 17:20

Tom,
I take it you're not going shopping for a pair of pointy shoes and polishing up your Jumbolino licence then :E

Phone Wind

18th Jan 2007, 19:01

The 5 Chinese hostages abducted last week, and 1 of the Italian hostages abducted from Brass terminal 43 days ago, have been released today. At the same time, unfortunately, the captain of the ferry boat attacked 2 days ago, died of his injuries.

ruma

19th Jan 2007, 12:28

What is the maggic that ACN/CHC is using in re-employing all their runaway national pilots:confused: ? Is it more 'cowries' that we are not aware of or something else? In the last two months, Four of their runaways have since returned:D . Two from Caverton, one from PAAN/Presidency and the last one from that private construction company based in Naf base. Rumour has it that Aero have sworn to bring back all their past national pilots by all means. Two out of these are on their way to Canada for thier ATPL;) .

There is this strong rumour too that Sunny is having a change of mind of staying put in Caverton:ugh: . His effort is being fustrated by Sola who knows nothing than to cut corners with the system/Clients.Grab from clients and not providing the servises. Aero is waiting for you Sunny! Abandone their Avensus before EFCC's visit, very soon. To account for the NPA/NMA elephant contracts. They will appreciate you better since Sola's pointed shoe is not your size. I hope you will not be 'disgraced' out like your former Chief Pilot was out of that place. Dont forget to take your 'HRM mistress' along:( !

SASless

19th Jan 2007, 13:24

phone wind.....now you dunnit! All that extra hazard pay will disappear as the Rubes upstairs will insist the insurgency and criminal kidnappings have come to an end and everything is tickety boo!:=

VSOP

19th Jan 2007, 14:43

Ruma..... Shortly, Sunny has to fly one brand new AW 139 and another with 150 hours flown.:ok:

Phone Wind

21st Jan 2007, 14:33

The february 2007 issue of National Geographic has an interesting, well-written and pretty accurate account of what's happening in the Niger Delta (Curse of the Black Gold, Hope and Betrayal in the Niger Delta).

Meanwhile 6 Filipinos and one Nigerian were taken hostage from a cargo ship near Chanomi creek, close to Warri. The ship is operated by German company Baco Line. This brings the number of expatriate hostages currently (January 21) being held, to 9.

The Nigerian Navy's response to this today has been to start mobilising ships for a 4 day exercise which they'll conduct off Bonny Island. They'll also have Nigerian Navy A109s and possibly the NAF Mi-35Ps of 97 SOG from Port Harcourt NAF Base. Considering the success the militants have had against the military conventional forces so far, it will be interesting to see if the same number of ships finish the exercise as start it :} . Last year the Nigerian Navy arrested 8 of its officers over the disappearance of a ship the MT African Pride which was in the custody of the Nigerian Navy in Lagos after being impounded for suspected bunkering operations :ugh:

MamaPut

22nd Jan 2007, 04:40

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has said that it will kill 24 Phillipino hostages in its custody in 72 hours if its demands to the Nigerian government are not met. (There are differing reports of between 6 and 24 Phillipinos taken hostage from a cargo shup near Chanomi Creek, Warri). In response the Phillipino government has stopped the deployment of any more of its nationals to Nigeria until the government can guaraantee their safety. It's getting nastier by the week and I hope that the plight of the hostages will be resolved without more violence.

archos

22nd Jan 2007, 09:37

Mama,
I think the following statement carries more credibility then those been released up til now:
From MEND
We wish to deny reports of our involvement in the kidnap of filipino seamen off a cargo ship in escravos, delta state, on saturday january 20, 2007.
These misleading reports were carried in the vanguard edition of sunday January 21, 2007 and some other national dailies.
It is pathetic that these dailies feed the nigerian public with such falsehood without bothering to verify the authenticity of their information. We do not attack cargo vessels, issue ultimatums nor do we execute hostages in our custody without good reason. The continued detention of asari and alamieseigha does not in our opinion, constitute sufficient justification for taking a human life.
This action was carried out by a community in the vicinity of the
abduction, for reasons they will explain. To our knowledge, this abduction was carried out by individuals working on behalf of dubious groups in the delta who have in recent days been losing their relevance to the nigerian
government and oil companies. These individuals it is hoped will shortly emerge to effect the release of these filipinos who are not involved in the oil industry in any way then again, appear relevant to the oil companies and the nigerian government.
If by some miracle this abduction is related to the struggle for justice in the delta, it is a welcome development especially as that community in the past, has worked closely with shell to sabotage the struggle of the
niger delta people, exchanging their birthright for generators from shell and personal gratification from oil companies and the nigerian government.

SASless

22nd Jan 2007, 13:38

MEND seems far better organized and led than the government forces. Thus far, it seems their Press Releases have been accurate and promises may have been kept.

Not so for the government side.

Time Out

23rd Jan 2007, 19:50

These hostages were taken from the centre of Port Harcourt (see links). Hostage taking in Nigeria is a serious ongoing problem. Of course there are still other hostages being held in Nigeria, some since before Christmas. My thoughts are with the hostages and their families. It's a shocking and frightening situation to be dealing with.

Links: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070123/ap_on_re_af/nigeria_oil_unrest and http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2007-01-23T073941Z_01_L23880558_RTRUKOC_0_US-NIGERIA-KIDNAP.xml&WTmodLoc=IntNewsHome_C2_worldNews-5

Phone Wind

23rd Jan 2007, 20:23

Time Out,

The two guys taken in Port Harcourt, one a Brit and one an American, are well known to many in the expat community here, one of them has a Nigerian wife and family and both are street savvy guys. The fact that they were taken is a true sign of how bad things are getting, though this is probably a community issue and a kidnapping for money, rather than anything to do with MEND or the forthcoming presidential elections.

One pointer to how bad things are is just to compare the statistics so far with those of 2006 (yes, I know - statistics again, but pretty thought-provoking nonetheless). In 2006 72 expats were kidnapped in Nigeria, only 4 of those in January. In 2007 already, 27 expats have been kidnapped (though this could even be as high as 45 if some reports of the number of Fillipinos kidnapped at Chanomi Creek are true), 4 people have been killed in related incidents and at least 11 (or possibly 29) are currently being held hostage, 3 presently suffering their 48th day of incarceration. Already, in the third week of the year we are at somewhere between 40-50% of the total number of kidnappings of 2006.

Meanwhile, CHC, having changed its mind so many times, has still not started work on redeveloping its infamous East death camp, but has extended its deadline for ET pay by 6 months, and Bristow employees are living in insecure housing and still waiting to see if the backdated portion of promised increases in pay and allowances will ever be paid or whether it's just another empty management promise to try and keep enough pilots to crew aircraft for its core customers. Neither company really gives a damn, except to give the illusion of fulfilling its duty of care to its employees. After all, LLLL and The Shadow are enjoying the life of luxury in their secure camp (which they have no intention of abandoning for the Death Camp :} ) and will get out as soon as their 2 years on site are up, and Neddy Donut just wants to maximise profits and his share of the loot before retiring next year :yuk: .

Heli-Ice

23rd Jan 2007, 22:24

Phone Wind

"infamous East death camp"

Now this sounds very inviting!

Would you like to explain this a little for those of us who do not know what this is?

anjouan

24th Jan 2007, 04:35

That will be the camp which Aero has bought in one of the most dangerous areas of Port Harcourt and will be forcing all its staff to move to some time this year. Originally they claimed were going to improve amenities at Areta estate, but despite many months of BS, they suddenly announced that they had bought down a run-down compound in a dangerous part of town which nobody else wanted. It's in such bad shape they've now decided they're going to bulldoze it and build something new and they're supposedly trying to find out what people want before they start building. I guess it'll be like the last consultation process (lots of questions to make people feel involved, but just go ahead and do what they like anyway :yuk: ). It's so good that the management won't be joining the rest of the guys there.

alouette

24th Jan 2007, 04:58

Following the terrifying news on the Delta rumbles I say this. I get the idea that some Delta politicians are behind this embezzling themselves. If the amounts of money paid as ransome are used for clean-up...:} Wishful thinking. Anyway, will be exciting to se what happens as we inch closer to the elections.:E

pearson.s

24th Jan 2007, 07:55

Bristow Helicopter nigeria will soon loss some of thier national pilot due to poor treatment, low salary introduced by the new management, couple with the fact that there is problem in the Niger delta in nigeria. Also, the miltant are after the expertraite not the national becos they cannot get any ransome on nigeria.:E

swampqueen

24th Jan 2007, 09:48

I hear that the back pay owed to the Bristow crews as part of their deal has failed to materialise. well done!!! Hearts and minds without the hearts and minds. Bad start...

Phone Wind

24th Jan 2007, 17:24

pearson,
Maybe Bristow will loss [sic] some of thier [[I]sic[I] national pilot because of problems with spelling and grammar rather than the fact that expertraite [[I]sic[I]] get ransome [sic] :E :} . It may surprise you to realise that quite a number of nationals who have been taken hostage have also had to wait for a ransom to be paid before they have been freed (including some Bristow national pilots who were hijacked during the 1999 spate of helicopter hijackings in Nigeria.
SAS,
The latest press statement released by MEND seems to reinforce what you say. In it they condemn the hijacking of the Filipino seamen from the Baco Liner cargo vessel and say that any money paid for the redevelopment of the Niger Delta should be done through the care and management of the United Nations Development Programme, rather than paid to any local politicians.
swampqueen,
With a name like that you should be a member of the Aero gay bar :E . However, what you say is quite right. With the exception of the broken promises on housing, CHC seem to be capable of reacting to events and implementing change far quicker than Bristow. No, wait a minute - what happened to the 'blended' pay deal, where they were going to do like most companies, and pay one twelfth of an annual salary every month :confused: . They are at least spending money in Nigeria, with the new hangar at NAF, the death camp, new fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft and recruiting back many of the Nigerian pilots who have left them over the last 2 years.

pearson,
Don't mind me - it's been a hard day and I'm feeling grouchy :\ . Everything you say is right. Bristow have even been losing Nigerian pilots with dual nationality to CHC on expat deals in other countries.

SASless

25th Jan 2007, 15:28

The beat goes on......and on....

Nigeria militants seize more oil workers

By KATHARINE HOURELD, Associated Press

Gunmen stormed the local offices of a major Chinese oil company in southern Nigeria on Thursday, abducting seven Chinese employees and stealing a large amount of cash, police said.

One of the assailants died in the raid on the finance offices of the government-owned Chinese National Petroleum Co. in the Nigerian state of Bayelsa, state police Commissioner Hafiz Ringim said. Two Chinese employees escaped the attack, Ringim said.

In Beijing, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it is looking into the attack. Company officials could not be reached for comment.

Some 100 hostages have been seized in a year of increased violence in Nigeria, the largest producer of oil in Africa and a major exporter to the U.S. Hostages are generally released unharmed after a ransom is paid, although casualties have occurred during gunbattles between the attackers and security forces.

Despite the vast energy stores lying beneath southern Nigeria's soil, the region's people remain desperately poor. Many blame their plight on corruption and mismanagement by the federal government.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, which seeks greater control of oil revenues and the release of two regional leaders imprisoned on corruption or treason charges, have launched many of the raids and abductions. The violence has cut Nigeria's usual 2.5 million barrel per day crude production by nearly a quarter.

But most of the kidnappings in recent weeks haven't been claimed by the group, which said it was not behind Thursday's attack. Along with the Chinese, about two dozen Filipinos, two Italians, one Briton, one American and a Lebanese are being held.

China is boosting ties in Nigeria and across Africa, seeking to secure energy and other resources for its booming economy.

anjouan

25th Jan 2007, 19:07

I was feeling a bit low this morning. Harmattan has been curtailing flying, Port Harcourt ATC behaving like petulant children (okay, they always do - but even more than usual :ugh: ), fuel queues everywhere because the world's 8th largest oil producer has not a single working refinery and imports all its fuel now, curfew means living in prison, pay just not enough to make it worth working here any more. Then, when I got home my whole day brightened up :} . I saw a report of a speech given by the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Peter Shola Adeniyi. Speaking in Calabar he said that despite continuous reports of abduction of foreign oil workers by militants, the Nigerian Navy has curtailed illegal activities of the militants. He said “we’ve been doing our best to check the excesses of Niger Delta youths. We have been able to curtail the excesses of the militants.” “We’ll be able to do much more to check the incursions of the militant youths from entering where we don’t want them to enter, when on-going plans by the Navy are fully implemented. “ Rear Admiral Adeniyi who said the country had assets as far as 100 nautical miles of the West Coast of Africa explained that part of the aims of the annual inspection is to deploy the fleet in the protection of deep sea oil and gas installation especially against terrorist attack.” Speaking on the five-day series of Naval exercises around the Bight of Bonny, Adeniyi said the Nigerian Navy was capable of checking any form of terrorist attack on Nigerian territorial waters. . Oh dear, my sides are still aching from laughing :} :} :} . This is the same Navy which arrested 8 of its officers last year when an oil tanker impounded for suspected illegal oil bunkering operations, somehow disappeared from its custody in Lagos. I feel so safe now. Last year 72 expatriates were kidnapped in the Niger Delta, so far this month 52 expats have been kidnapped here, 36 are currently being held and Admiral Adeniyi is proud of the record of his men. It's a symptom of how cock-eyed everything has become here during this wondrous transition from the corrupt military dictatorships to true democracy :yuk: . It gives me a lovely warm feeling - or maybe it's just because I just p**d myself from laughing so much again :} :} :E .

Phone Wind

25th Jan 2007, 19:39

Rear Admiral Adeniyi has obviously just been quoting from the same "book of Great Military Speeches' as the Nigerian Minister of Defence, Ambassador Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, and the Minister of State, Chief Michael Onolememem who say that Nigerian forces are capable of keeping peace in the region. They, told newsmen in Abuja that a publication in one of the national dailies alleging that Chinese soldiers have been hired by the Federal Government to police the Niger Delta is not only false but also baseless and a disservice to the nation.
The Ministers said there is no need for the engagement of foreign soldiers as Nigerian military were capable of containing the situation.
“No one should be in doubt at the capacity and capability of our forces in dealing with the Niger Delta problem”, they said pointing out that the country is not at war with anybody.
On the trouble in the Niger Delta, the Ministers noted that “we are dealing with our brothers and sisters’ and would not just react to it the same way as if they were enemies.”
“We have chosen the path of peace and dialogue because we can’t crush our own brothers”, the ministers stressed. According to the Ministers, the initiatives carried out by the present PDP government in the Niger Delta region surpass all other initiatives taken by any other government in the last 46 years.
They've not chosen any path of peace. They're all involved in this escalation of violence up to their necks as part of the jockeying for power in the run-up to the Presidential elections. They'd probably be incapable of crushing what they've now set in motion any more anyway :yuk: . I think they'll find out before too long that they've opened a Pandora's Box.
Anjou, what have you been drinking tonight? Whatever it is I think I'd like a few bottles/glasses/calabashes myself :)

Tokunbo

26th Jan 2007, 04:36

I hear that Caverton Helicopters' latest AS350B2 is stuck somewhere in Mauritania with a mechanical problem. It left Portugal at the end of December. Mauritania is not the easiest of countries to get technical support, except perhaps if they're in Nouakchott. I wonder if Strange Steve and Uncle Terry are still with it or have abandoned it there. Has anyone else heard any more about it?

soggyboxers

26th Jan 2007, 19:16

Toks,

'Uncle Terry' is very resourceful and can usually do something like a Blue Peter presenter with locking wire, epoxy resin a used toilet roll holder and duct tape, so it must be a rather more serious problem with the helicopter. If they're stuck in Nouadibhou, getting spares there could be a bit tricky, but I'm sure he'll manage and will also have managed to make himself comfortable and made new friends to help him already. I certainly do hope he's okay as I haven't heard from him lately and I know how much he was looking forward to the flight just before he left. The way things go, with lack of communication sometimes on African ferry flights, he may already be enjoying a large Julbrew in Banjul or some zouk music in Ougadougou. I hope to enjoy a large bottle of 'cold filtered' or a glass of my mother's milk with him soon :ok:

ColdFiltered

27th Jan 2007, 09:19

Hey Soggy! Are you taking my name in vain? Regards to Uncle T when you next talk to him and to all my PH based mates. See you mid-Feb.

chuks

28th Jan 2007, 05:25

I just put in my first six days near Hassi Messaoud, Algeria. What a contrast to Ikeja and Isolo!

I was nowhere near town, just based next to the airport so I cannot say much about local civilisation but where I was I could walk back and forth without worrying about my safety. There were no beggars or shoe-shiners anywhere to be seen and the locals seemed to be polite, friendly and correctly distant.

The food was quite good in the camp, Italian-style rather than, yecch, Briddish. Plenty of fresh veg and fruit and chicken you could cut with a fork rather than having to use a diamond blade.

The pilots were mostly young and amiable instead of old and grouchy, like me.

The aircraft I flew was the nicest Twin Otter I have ever seen, just like new.

Best of all, the ramp was full of airplanes. There was one lonely-looking B206L out there but that was it for helicopters. I guess the distances are too much, so that they just take a D8 and make an instant air strip wherever they need to operate out there in the Sahara. The Pilatus Porter and the Cessna Caravan take the place of the B212, so to speak.

The temperature was surprisingly cold, colder than Germany was when I left. It was down to 5° or so in the mornings and it never got above about 15° even at mid-day. On the other hand I have been reliably informed that it can go up to 54° in the summer. Not to worry, they are sending me off to Saudi next, or so I have been told. Algeria is too nice, perhaps!

ruma

28th Jan 2007, 06:43

:ok:
Finally Uncle 'T' and 'Uncle Bob look alike' arrived the shore of Nigeria by mid day yesterday in the Blue 'A Star' that was stuck somewhere in the western Sahara for Weeks! It will be better to 'crate-in' the next inbound 'A star' to Ghana as ACN/CHC does in avoiding the payment of high import tax to Nigeria. 'Brown envelope' as usual to the designated surveyor will save you all the head ache. Welcome back Steve. Sunny will brief you on the Aba incident! The boys have been settled!:} The 'Let 410' could not make it to Bonny too. The runway is too narrow and the crew will not cooperate with Sola to land there:eek: and prove a point to your client in Bonny:\ . She has since returned to Europe. The Company lost so much money in accomodation for the crew in a private 'court' in GRA since the Ikeja guest house is sub-standard to them and parking space for the 'Let 410':ugh: . The 'Let crew Bus' is now available for the helicopter crew after their departure:D . Ozunba Helipad really missed you, Steve.:rolleyes:

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

28th Jan 2007, 10:44

chuks.

Are you serious ? We never know with a wily old fox like you. Are you honestly saying that a camp in the desert with no crime, community wahalla, robberies, kidnappings, official corruption, police escorts and so on is better than the BRC and the antiques you used to fly before the Dorniers came ? Where's the challenge in that ?

Surely you miss the cut and thrust of life in Ajao Estate with haute cuisine lovingly prepared by the best chefs Bristow can muster ? Is the banter the same ? Aren't evenings with no gunfire outside the razor wire boring ?

I'm saving a fortune now we're curfewed. The weight is just dropping off now all that beer is undrunk, so to speak. What other employer would take such radical steps to ensure the Health and Safety of it's valued people ? Wasn't it an American who said that people are a companies most valuable asset ?

Come on, be honest !! Your secret is safe with us............

Cheers,

NEO

cavertonmanagement

28th Jan 2007, 13:18

Is a lie, all this stories of bad things with our Jumbolino, envelop in Aba and every other thing. Daddy and me was always fully aware of every-thing happening as you would expect from the toppest leaders in the world centre of aviation excellence. As already explain, there was great need for Uncle Terry to have proper crew rest and for Steve to have his suit trouser always dry clean and looking very shinny - after all he is an ambassador for this our company which is talked about in every toppest aviation circle, for setting new standard of excellence, training, maintenance, forward thinking and heavy investment in new techernological industry-leading product such as the Jumbolino. All the technical detail will be there on our website once daddy have paid for update.
Nothing have happen in Aba. Our helicopter is welcome in every part of the Federation. Now with 2 helicopter again we shall have plenty spare part and be visiting so many places. It's because daddy and I have been well educated with even degree and papers from University overseas and have so well allied this with sharp Nigerian busuness practices.
We have had some very bad people to work for us, who think being pilot or enguneer is important because this an aviation adventure. Is not important - what is important is to have been to proper university with electronic marvels such as computer, text book and NEPA. It is things like this such of these aviation pigmies such as CHC and Bristow will soon find out as we sweep them from the field of aviation in Nigeria. After all, CHC is just anagram of Hantshire Cunty Council and Bristow is best known for hair shampoo (and anyway daddy says he prefer Head and Shoulders becasue with such you can never get dandruff which make the collar of your Armani suit jacket look so very bad).
Daddy will be presenting brown envelope to all concerned with this our latest success, as soon as he have decided on deductions for out-of-pocket expenses for the short delays on-route, which must not have been any-thing to do with Jumbolino because the NCAA issued papers to say what a very fine machine it was just before it was leaving Portugal.

MamaPut

28th Jan 2007, 14:27

I saw the RSG AW139, 5N-BJB finally flying the other day. It visited lagos and Abuja before returning to Port Harcourt. Does this mean that it has finally got its CofA?
Does this also mean that Governor Odili has now put his problems with the EFCC behind him?
EFCC interim findings indict Odili (http://www.chatafrikarticles.com/articles/submitcomment)

soggyboxers

28th Jan 2007, 17:55

I spoke to 'Uncle Terry' today and can confirm his safe arrival in Lagos, having had a few adventures along the way, visited some new places and done a few interesting things with locking wire, old toilet rolls and epoxy resin - just as forecast :D

Phone Wind

28th Jan 2007, 19:53

For those flying for Shell tomorrow, extra care is required as there was fighting between militants and security forces in Nembe today and the Nigerian Navy had to despatch 2 extra gunboats to the area in support of joint task force personnel.

There was a long and violent gun battle in Port Harcourt today, in the old part of the city around Aggrey road. Fifty militants on fought a gunbattle with Nigerian security forces and torched police headquarters in Port Harcourt in the oil-producing Niger Delta to free one of their leaders.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said fighters armed with machine guns, grenades and assault rifles attacked troops and police who fought back with helicopter gunships and an armoured personnel carrier.
"We lost none of our fighters in the encounter which saw the destruction of the State Investigation and Intelligence Bureau and the Rivers state police headquarters," MEND said in a statement e-mailed to journalists.
The group said 50 of its fighters were involved.
The gunfight took place in the densely populated old part of Port Harcourt, near the waterfront, where residents said they saw the militants torch the central police station and at least 10 police vehicles. Police said at least one person was killed.
"Our fighters have since retreated to the creeks with our prize," MEND said, referring to Sobomabo George, one of its leaders who had been captured earlier in the day.
The MEND, which says it is fighting for the impoverished people of the delta to gain control of the region's oil wealth, was responsible for a wave of attacks last February that forced the closure of a fifth of Nigeria's oil production capacity. (source - Reuters)

SASless

28th Jan 2007, 20:50

Did I read that right....MEND reacted in hours to the arrest of one of their own and were able to pull off a "Snatch Op"?

I am beginning to think highly of their ability to operate.

Shows they have the ability to shoot, move, and communicate.

soggyboxers

28th Jan 2007, 20:53

I guess the first flight tomorrow will be to Nembe Creek then :\

Musket33

28th Jan 2007, 22:13

Hi SASless,

My question is will the excitement continue after the upcoming elections?

Cheers,
Musket33

SASless

29th Jan 2007, 02:10

Musket,
I ran my hands around the Crystal Ball.....flipped a few Tarot Cards....and looked to see which way the cows were facing....then flipped some chicken bones and feathers about a bit....and everything suggests "Yes indeedy!"

Unless and until some of that oil money gets spent in the Delta area and the Nigerian trickle down method of economic investment puts some Kobo's into the villager's pockets....the violence will continue.

BoneDry

29th Jan 2007, 18:05

Well I just fininshed reading 81 pages of posts!!! Well most of it. I get the general idea. Still no one has posted any pictures??? Another question is how many of you who have worked in Nigeria or Africa have got Malaria or any other nasty sickness? What were the out comes?

I have about 6 friends who have just left CHL EMS for CHC and am waiting to hear what their opinion is of Africa. Sounds like it was lots of fun at one time but this seems to be the worst of the worst times to get involved in Nigeria.

Anyways thanks for all the great info and God bless all there and hoping they can avoid the violence.

Cheers from Northern Canada!!!

BD

chcmanagement

29th Jan 2007, 18:20

Well we've launched another aggressive new development in a nice marshmallow, gentle, nuke-a-gay-whale-for-peace kinda way. After the announcement that we'd be launching a super new money-saving shuttle bus for crews to Owerri using the ole Harmattan precludes any other form of transport excuse, we discovered that you guys really liked it, so we're sure going to keep it. Lots of you made a lotta noise about the move to the super new camp, which is gonna save us a whole pile of $$$$$. We're also glad to see that most of you haven't left and are opting for the single room philosophy which we've sold - wouldn't do to have guys congregating in a sitting room and gr in the most iping together - see what we've done for morale. The new camp will be far nicer than the original Intels option [suckers]. Our acceptance of the genuine 42 days on site deal sure kept you guys quiet while we were able to recruit enough new people to not have to put up with your whinging any more. What do you think we're running here - a holiday camp? We didn't get where we are today without learning how to tell lies in the most sincere, (maple) syrupy fashion until we get what we want. Just remember, if you don't eat the marshmallows we'll send in K2 with the dog biscuits.

etienne t boy

29th Jan 2007, 18:47

BD,
Okay:

Sending mail home through the CHC mail system
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/100_0567_copy.jpg

The Navy will look after your securityhttp://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/Biafra_warship_Buguma_floating.jpg

Chilling out
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/Claws.jpg

Supper's coming!
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/ridin_high2.jpg

BoneDry

29th Jan 2007, 19:21

Thanks for the pics.

Looks like a Tropical Pardise to me. Any one have pics of the new/old chc camps?? How about the Niger Delta, rigs, pads, swamps etc.

What is a Hamarttan???

Cheers

BD

Phone Wind

29th Jan 2007, 19:32

Things should be considerably safer and more peaceful in the environs of Port Harcourt after the MEND raid on Sunday. Reuters reports a police spokesman as saying that the militants had released 20 criminals from the central police station and 105 from the criminal investigation department. MEND claims that 50 of its fighters took part in the attack, whilst the police estimated that 300 militants were involved - maybe to make the poor performance of the police and the military in this event look better :yuk: . A man and a 10 year old girl were killed by stray bullets.

etienne t boy

29th Jan 2007, 19:58

BD,
Okay, here's some of the swamp and oil-related locations. In the present times, it wouldn't be good for security to post any pictures of the camp:

Port Harcourt tourist beach - a nice place for days off
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/xxx.jpg

Come home home to a nice warm fire after the Harmattan
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/oilfire.jpg

There's nothing finer than the unspoilt African countryside
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/nmpc_amukpesapele-1.jpg

Let's pop out to one of the clean waterways and catch a few catfish to barbecue tonight:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/nnpcspill_atlascove.jpg

etienne t boy

30th Jan 2007, 19:24

A nice safe place to live - the Shell Residential Area - Dec 2006:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/ShellRA.png

The rural idyll - thank heavens for mains gas!
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/040928_nigeria_tease-1.jpg

Fresh fish for supper - yummy:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/aa19.jpg

Go-slow on the way home from the suppamakket:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/893934540_l.jpg

The not-so-idyllic end in the swamps:
Removed in response to a request by PM

TomBola

30th Jan 2007, 19:40

And while visiting why not take the opportunity to brush up your driving skills at one of Port Harcourt's fine driving schools, where only the best will do?

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/Driving_School.jpg

BoneDry

30th Jan 2007, 22:27

Wow, that really makes Nigeria appealing. Who wouldn't want to go that Tropical Paradise????

Thanks again for the pics. And keep them coming!!

I think I might stay in Canada for a while, it maybe cold and I pay more in tax but at least our driving school cars have 2 headlights!!!

Cheers all

BD

Phone Wind

31st Jan 2007, 20:08

If some of you have never been to Nigeria and you're wondering why there are so many problems out here at the moment, the following report frtom Reuters, highlighting why the haves are so rich, is sickening reading:

ABUJA, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Local governments in Nigeria's richest oil state routinely steal or misuse public funds instead of using them to improve collapsed schools and health services, Human Rights Watch said in a report published on Wednesday.
The U.S.-based group said the government had failed to curb corruption at state and local levels, resulting in a "shocking and disastrous failure" to provide basic services and aggravating social unrest in Africa's oil heartland.
The report used case studies from Rivers, Nigeria's top oil producing state, to show how millions of windfall petrodollars have gone to waste in Africa's most populous nation, which ranks 159 out of 177 countries in the U.N. Human Development Index.
"One local government chairman habitually deposited his government's money into his own private bank account. Another has siphoned off money by allocating it towards a 'football academy' that he has not built," the report said.
"Public schools have been left to fall apart and health care facilities lack even the most basic of amenities," it said, listing schools with collapsed walls, no desks, no books and no chalk, and health centres with no toilets, water, drugs or beds.
Rivers is in the heart of the Niger Delta, which accounts for all oil production from Nigeria, the world's eighth-biggest exporter of crude. Decades of neglect of its poor communities have resulted in a rising tide of violent crime and militancy.
Armed groups are holding 38 foreigners hostage in the delta, thousands of other expatriates have fled the region in the past 12 months, and a fifth of oil output is shut down because of militant attacks.
WASTED WINDFALL
Human Rights Watch said the Nigerian government had squandered a unique opportunity from high oil revenues to address the deprivation at the root of the violence.
Since its return to civilian rule in 1999, Nigeria's 36 states and 774 local governments have seen sharp increases in the funds allocated to them under the three-tiered system of government and sharing of revenues.
As an oil-producing state, Rivers receives an extra share of oil revenues which have surged thanks to high oil prices. In 2006, the state budget projected total government spending of $1.3 billion, double the amount Rivers had to spend in 2004.
"Much of this windfall has been lost to the extravagance, waste and corruption that characterise state government spending," Human Rights Watch said.
It pointed to the 2006 state budget, which gave the governor's office a $65,000 daily travel allowance and $77 million annually for unspecified "special projects".
The state's 23 local government councils, which are responsible for delivering primary health care and education, have seen their monthly revenues rise fourfold since 1999 but there is almost nothing to show for it, the report said.
Local government chairmen use inflated building contracts to generate kickbacks for themselves and contractors and opaque budgets to allocate hefty slices of revenue to themselves. They routinely bill government for services that are not provided.
In Opobo/Nkoro local government area, the chairman's 2005 travel budget was $53,800, more than twice as large as the capital budget for the health sector. An allocation for "miscellaneous expenses" was bigger than the education budget.
Human Rights Watch said even the small amounts that were left for health and education on paper were in fact stolen as there was no evidence of any spending on those sectors.

"A few decades ago Nigeria was considered to have one of the best education systems in Africa and now the schools in the richest state in the country are literally falling apart," Albin-Lackey of Human Rights Watch said of the schools he saw in Rivers State during his research mission there.
Overall, despite Nigeria's wealth, the nation has one of the worst child survival rates in the world. About one out of five Nigerian children die before the age of five, most succumbing to diseases that are easily preventable or treatable at low cost, according to the United Nations children's agency. The country's maternal mortality rate is also among the highest in the world, the UN says.
Data for the delta, including Rivers State, reflects the national picture. The delta has the worst post-neonatal mortality rate in Nigeria, according to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey of 1999. It said nationally 30 percent of women said they cannot afford healthcare, compared with 47 percent in the delta.

Maybe this is where some of the money paid to Rivers State went:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/Odilis139.jpg

But this is how his 'subjects' live:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/NearNembe.jpg

In view of the above, anyone wonder why they're angry? The Governor's 139 is presently just flying around empty (at what cost, to who?) for the crews to build up their 50 hours pilot time on it.

MamaPut

31st Jan 2007, 20:30

Since photos are becoming 'de rigeur' here now, perhaps the governor may be reduced to travelling in this if the EFCC charges against him ever come to anything

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/Proudly_made_in_Nigeria.jpg

That's if the fuel queues here allow him to get any petrol for it :}

SASless

31st Jan 2007, 20:30

A nice article about the politics of Nigerian oil.....

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Transnational_corps/OilRules_Nigeria.html

chuks

1st Feb 2007, 08:52

A Nigerian and a Malaysian are at school together in London. After graduation they keep in touch, promising to visit each other at home when they get the chance. After ten years the Malaysian tells the Nigerian to come visit him at home. He has a government job and life is good.

When he gets there the Nigerian sees a beautiful house with a Mercedes in the drive. That evening the Malaysian asks the Nigerian to look out across the way at the new motorway and the new bridge. 'You see that?' he asks. 'Ten percent,' waving his hand at everything he has.

'Ah-ah! You must come to see me in my country!' replies the Nigerian. 'I have a government job too!'

The Malaysian goes for it. He finds the Nigerian living in a small palace with a Rolls-Royce in the driveway, very impressive indeed. That evening the Nigerian asks the Malaysian to look out across the way at the new motorway and the new bridge. The Malaysian says that all he can see out there is a dirt track and a rickety wooden bridge. 'You see now? One hundred percent,' says the Nigerian.

Phone Wind

1st Feb 2007, 15:14

chuks,

You got out at a good time. Port Harcourt is daily descending into anarchy with the police getting ever more useless. I'm sure you've read about the raid on the police stations here by MEND on Sunday, in which they freed one of their leaders. MEND said they sent about 50 men, the police said it was about 300, probably as an excuse for rather carelessly allowing 125 prisoners to be 'liberated' from 2 police stations. It's pretty much summed up by one part of a report in a local newspaper where one of the market women was frightened by the noise of gun fire beside Moscow Rd but was really frightened by the sight of the police running up the road pulling off their Berets and uniform jacets and throwing them away :yuk: :mad: . It's about all the Nigerian police are good for.

Meanwhile a group claiming to be MEND, exhibited the Fillipino hostages taken from the Baco Liner in Chanomi Creek, to the press yesterday. "If the government doesn't listen to us, in 72 hours things will start happening," said Tamuno Goodwill, a masked militant who described himself as a field commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). He said he was referring to attacks on oil facilities and the security forces guarding them. "We are going to drag the president into a civil war," said Goodwill, who did not reveal where the militants were keeping their Filipino captives.
Goodwill said his group were MEND fighters, although that is disputed by Jomo Gbomo, the person who has spoken for the faceless militant group since it first surfaced in Dec. 2005.
Gbomo has said MEND was not involved in the attack on the cargo ship. It is impossible to obtain independent confirmation of these details as the MEND has never offered details of its structure and leadership.
Gbomo says the group is fighting for the impoverished people of the delta to gain control of the region's oil wealth. He has also demanded the release of Asari, although he says Asari is not particularly important to the struggle.

Most of us out here now are just trying to maintain a low profile (not difficult as most expats in the Niger Delta have some kind of curfew imposed by their companies. Even with extra allowances being offered it's especially difficult to get pilots and engineers to come to Port Harcourt now. If things continue like this it will soon become just like Warri, with little or no social life as pubs, clubs and restaurants close down because of falling custom.

Good luck in Saudi, though it sounds a pity you're having to leave Algeria - sounds nice. You can always get an Emirates flight and route home on leave via Lagos so you can call in at the BRC and swap tall tales with old friends - you would be wellicome! :ok:

SASless

1st Feb 2007, 15:20

I reckon the oil companies cannot afford to properly protect their workers and contractors......knowing how tough times are economically and all. You folks in Nigeria might reconsider your concerns about what you perceive to be inadequate efforts to safeguard your well being and all. I think it is really over the top for you to think the oil companies can afford such vast investments of capital in these times of depressed earnings and profit.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070201/ap_on_bi_ge/earns_exxon_mobil

chuks

1st Feb 2007, 18:44

lots of situations we get into, we think the people at the top must be really, really stupid. What does that say about us, given that we are underlings? Still, you look at some of the decisions they make and you think, 'Sh*t for brains, or what?'

Stupidity is contagious, too! You hang with dummies long enough, your own brain tends to go into 'stand-by' mode. Otherwise it keeps getting you into trouble. Eh, SASless, you with your febrile mind? (Thinks to self: he's going to have to look up that one for sure!)

I cannot say that I am any smarter than you guys still in Nigeria; I would still be there but for the mysterious workings of fate. The further away I get from it, especially after just six days in ALgeria instead of NIgeria, when no one tried anything on at all, not even when my 'pah-tick-oo-lahs' were not totally 'in ordah,' the more I wonder why I stayed so long.

In Hassi Messaoud there were no beggars, no robbers, no piles of rotting garbage... nothing like that in my (very limited, of course) initial exposure to one small corner of a very big country. It is just that in Nigeria there is sure to be something shocking, revolting or shockingly revolting just around the corner. Well, I owed my first job there to a rotting human corpse that turned my Canadian predecessor around and sent him back home before Management even knew he was gone.

There was a wrecked car in the old Ikeja Roundabout with a dead guy in it. They told the New Guy that when he arrived in the dark. Next day he took a walk in daylight and saw that there really was a dead guy there in that wrecked 504, when he had thought this was just a morbid joke they played on each New Guy. He had flown in on a round-trip ticket so he went back to the villa, got his stuff together, made his way to the airport and caught Lufthansa back the way he had come. Meanwhile the Norwegian troll who ran things was amusing himself thinking of the New Guy left to rot in the villa for a week until he could finally be admitted into The Presence. Surprise!

You guys be careful now. Remember that it isn't 'the bullet with your name on it' that you need to worry about but the one addressed, 'To Whom It May Concern!'

SASless

1st Feb 2007, 19:21

Chuks,

If we got upset everytime we had to work for an idiot....we would be running around with like axe murderers.

Hmmmmmmm...bet an axe would beat a radio hands down! Whatever was I thinking?

anjouan

1st Feb 2007, 19:33

SAS,

Thinking of axes, murder, working for idiots and the whole 8 yards (the ninth was confiscated by customs :} ) I hear there are still a lot of upset people in Mauritania having to work for a certain Viscomte who somehow came to mind when I saw your post :E

Maverick Laddie

2nd Feb 2007, 09:52

Hear his latest victim is the Chief Engineer himself sorry I mean Engineer in charge of course as they only have two machines.
Whats does 35 years with a company mean anyway ? answer Jack S--t when you have management like Bristow's :*

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

2nd Feb 2007, 09:58

Hey Sas,

Sadly nowadays the radio just isn't a viable option. What with miniaturisation even a direct hit with maximum force (or Extreme Prejuduce as you Americans like to call it) wouldn't cause any damage or injury worth posting on Pprune. His back to back is on the way out too. I imagine that makes a near 100% turnover there, and nobody ever asks why :hmm:

There was a small riot between Okada drivers and MOPOL yesterday afternoon around GRA junction (near Arreta). Just to keep us on our toes !! Plenty of tear gas and shooting. Someone should write a book about this stuff !!

I wonder what next ? Watch this space :ok:

NEO

Foggy Bottom

2nd Feb 2007, 22:32

And the powers to be in the headshed in the UK wonder why I refuesed their generous offer....

You would have to be seriously demented to sign on with that outfit!!

chuks

3rd Feb 2007, 09:22

NEO,

You send me the raw data and I shall turn it into literature, okay? Just a cheap paperback book, nothing too dear. Where we make the money is later selling the A4 sheet that gives the aliases on the left and the real names on the right!

Sex, violence, mass stupidity: it's all there just waiting to be written up. The biggest problem is, who would believe it?

Too, do you know any good lawyers? I think we might need a little bit of help on the 'libel and slander' front. Or is telling the truth a good defence?

So much of what goes on in Nigeria, and in aviation in general, the truth reads stranger than fiction.

I wish I had saved it but we once got a nastygram from our new Leaderess telling us, in future, not to have the aircraft de-iced at an outstation but to bring it back to base for that, where it was so much cheaper. I guess she forgot about the costs of hiring a low-loader.

chcmanagement

3rd Feb 2007, 22:43

Hello world, even here in the lee of marshmallow mountain, we are not totally living in maple city metropolis. The camp will be finsihed within the time and budget constraints we have set. Do you really imagine we will listen to nonsense about who wants communal living areas or jogging tracks or tennis courts? You'll stay on Areta and we'll say yes to everything you demand, but do just as we've always done - exactly as we want, with a nice smile, and then tell you what you're getting. Why would we leave our nice, safe, well-guarded camp and visit the squalid dump in which you're presently incarcerated just to waste more company money on drinks for someone who's been a thorn in our side for far too long. Good riddance.

bristowmanagement

3rd Feb 2007, 22:54

It's good to see our weak-kneed northern cousins tear themselves apart about their gay bar or crummy accommodation as it turns the spotlight away from our own problems (and a whole bunch of new suckers is leaving chc for our shallow unfulfilled promises). Well, the gay dollar is fast crumbling against our manly, Iraq-kicking-butt-goodole-George yankee dollar and with us you have the security of the militants not knowing where you're living - because we shure as hell don't have a goddam idea. As for gay bars - you may have them in Richmond, but we sure as hell don't in Houston. Join a real-man's company (but with integrity as our watchword), Bristow or OLOG or whatever it is we've decided is best for the corporate image this year :ok:

SASless

4th Feb 2007, 01:09

As for gay bars - you may have them in Richmond, but we sure as hell don't in Houston. Join a real-man's company (but with integrity as our watchword), Bristow or OLOG or whatever it is we've decided is best for the corporate image this year

Errr...ahhhh....there is at least one I hear!:=

Take yer pick you big burley brutes you!:E

Houston Gay Bars

Your Source for Houston Night life

611 Hyde Park Pub - (713) 526-7070. Located at 611 Hyde Park. There is a wide mix of customers in this place. For you early girls! The bar opens its doors at 7:00 am, noon on Sundays. **

Bartini - (713) 526-2271. Located at 1318 Westheimer Road. Just a short walk from the other clubs. Small amount of free parking, or park on the side street, where permitted. Most of the restaurants in the area will tow so be careful. Offers lots of shows, dancing and patio that faces the main street. Two story, converted old house.*

Brazos River Bottom, BRB- (713) 528-9192. Located at 2400 Brazos Street. (Downtown) Just a short taxi ride away from the other gay bars and well worth the drive. This is the place to be if your want to Two-Step. Fridays and Saturdays the house is HOT. Dancing, Hot muscular cowboys and " REAL DOWN TO EARTH MEN" ****

Bricks II- (713) 528-8102. Located at 617 Fairview Street. Walking distance from most of the other gay bars. They call this the " Neighbor Country Bar" Open 7am (noon on Sunday) Just a very low key small place that feels like home.*

Chances,G-Spot, New Barn- (713) 523-7217. Located at 1100 Westheimer Road. All we can say is that if your a women, " THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU" Three huge clubs in one. They open at 2 pm. Complete with a woman's band. This was an old restaurant that was converted in to a night club. This is a MUST see if your a lady.

Club Rainbow- (713)522-5166- Located at 1417 Westheimer Road. Nice woman's bar

Decades - (713) 521-2224. Located at 1205 Richmond Street. Neighborhood bar that has pool tables, shuffleboard and a jukebox.. Lots of older men hang out and gossip. If you have "juicy dirt" that you want to spread, or want to hear the latest and greatest "dirt", you might hear it there first. Lots of free parking on their gravel lot.

E/J's - (713) 527-9071. Located on 2517 Ralph Street. Go here if your looking for male strippers. This place is full of guys that know have to spell FUN. Dancing, great patio, Lots of parking, and street parking. Get your cash ready to start tipping. 100% worth the $5.00 taxi ride to the place. Strippers on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Guava Lamp- (713) 524-3359 Located on 570 Waugh Drive. This is their new location that will be open soon. Always the youngest hot guys playing pool and sing-a-long piano. Great place for you guys that live in the heights.

Inergy, Mango Lounge,Amnesia- (713) 660-7310 Located on 5750 Chimney Rock Located about 15 minutes away from the other bars. Latin flavored with a Houston twist. Huge late night crowds, Sunday Shows.

J.R.'s with the Santa Fe - (713) 521-2519 Located on Houstons most famous gay address 808 Pacific street. This is Houston's Top gay bar. Dancers, Pool, Eight liners, Drag shows, Strip contest and lots of give-a -ways. This is a Houston MUST SEE AND DO. Lots of parking and located next to other great bars like South Beach and Montrose Mining Co.

Keys West - (713) 571-7870 Located on 817 West Dallas Street. Piano bar.

Mary's - (713) 527-9669 Located on 1022 Westheimer Road. Conveniently located on the Metro bus route.

Mela's Tejano Country - (713) 523-0747 Located on 302 Tuam. Known as a great woman's Hispanic bar, but everyone is is welcome. Just minutes from the other bars, on the edge of downtown.

Metor- (713) 521-0123 Located on 2306 Genesee Street. This the the one of the best looking bars in houston. Find the man of your dreams here modern lounge with lots of videos and music. This bar has won lots of bar awards and is a MUST SEE AND DO. Lots of parking.

Michael's Outpost- (713) 520-8446 1419 Richmond Ave. Convenenietly located on the Metro bus route.

Montrose Mining Company -(713) 529-7488 on the famous 805 Pacifc Street . EVERYONE IS THERE. This place is packed, wall to wall. Lots of crusing. Draft beer on the patio. Pool table. Dancers. Great location so that you can bar hop from J.R.'s to South Beach to The Mining Company. Park once and party all night. Lots of parking.

Rainbow Room -(281) 872-0215 Located at 527 Barren Springs. Neighborhood bar if your " Out there". Near 45 north and Airtex. Not far from the Airport.

Ripcord- (713) 521-2792 Located at 715 Fairview Street. Next to the other bars. Leather bar that is packed and is where EVERONE goes after the other clubs call it a night. If you did not meet "Mr. Right", you might see him after dark at the Ripcord. Great Patio.

South Beach - (713) 521-9123 Located on the famous 810 Pacific Street. This is a club that every gay man should see. Waterwall, dancers, dancing, best light show in town, and lots of parking. Once you go in..... you will agree that this is one of the best night clubs in the WORLD. Huge croud with the line to get in, all the way down the street.

Rich's Houston- Located at 2401 San Jacanto. This is one of the best dance clubs in town.

Viviana's - (713) 862-0203 Located on Washington. Primarily Hispanic club between the heights and Montrose.

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

4th Feb 2007, 08:41

I'm shocked. I've lived in the same area for a long time and have no idea where any gay bars are. But then I doubt if there are any in God's County. Sas knows an awful lot of Houston ones though............:hmm:

At least CHC's "thorn in the side" got a leaving do (at the people's expense, management wouldn't pay one kobo I hear) BEFORE he left. Better than hearing about it AFTER you've gone !!:ok:

Some very unhappy people in BGI. Delay in fulfilling promised leave purchase, no word on family health insurance or loyalty bonus and an enforced move to a bad area with up to 4 hours of travel to and fro. More vacancies on the way perhaps ?

NEO

Tokunbo

4th Feb 2007, 12:40

So SAS,

Which is your favourite from that list? :E

I hear that the new CHC death compound could now be more than a year away as they're supposedly having lots of staff input into the plans with the architect before anything is finalised. I dare say, some people will keep making suggestions just to delay everything as long as possible :} . I heard that they didn't ven bother having a leaving party for the last pilot who left, despite him having been there for more than 3 years - guess he didn't have a maple leaf tattooed on his heart :\ .

NEO, are all the BGI guys in PH now moving to the same place? Seems like a bad move - putting all your eggs in one basket and all that sort of thing. That road journey sounds horrific and very tiring - not to mention dangerous. Surely all it's doing is increasing the risk to staff as the roads are very dangerous. Do you find it difficult to get people to work in Port Harcourt now?

SASless

4th Feb 2007, 12:48

NEO,

I can assure you that bit of information was gleaned from a google search only.

Also, I will admit to having found myself within such an establishment but only by misfortune. One place falsely labelled an Irish bar had some very manly looking women and very feminine men. To make the matter worse, there was no Guiness to be had.

The other place was in Fort Worth....complete with western riding saddles for bar stools. That brought a whole new meaning to "saddle up to the bar".

The bartender....a huge hulk of a guy....asked for my order and then uttered the unforgettable phrase...."Are you Gay, Bi, or what!" I immediately confirmed I was "What", gulped down a can of Colorado Cool-aide and make my exit.

Phone Wind

5th Feb 2007, 19:53

According to a new report from Reuters, expats are deserting Port Harcourt since the attacks by MEND and other militant groups were stepped up over a year ago. Most of the expats who had their families here with them have now sent them back home (even some with Nigerian wives and families). Most expatriates stay at home because their companies enforce a night-time curfew, or they impose one themselves. As a result a number of bars and restaurants have either closed down or are on the verge of doing so. Many expats are afraid to go out after dark and the Goodfellas karaoke bar which was a popular spot with expatriates is now almost empty most nights since a number of expatriates were abducted from there by armed men last year.

Local politicians normally arm thugs before elections to stake their claims to electoral wards, and these gangs often engage in "freelancing" of their own.
But MEND says it is not interested in politics -- it is preparing for all-out guerrilla war with Africa's largest army.
"The risks are to the downside," said Kevin Rosser of Control Risks, a security company working with several oil companies in Nigeria.
MEND argues that the people of the delta, most of whom live in poverty without access to clean water, schools, power and roads, have been cheated out of their oil wealth by the central government in league with Western multinationals.
They want to drive away the foreign workers who keep the oil flowing, halt exports and force the federal government in Abuja to renegotiate the terms of Nigeria's century-old union.
"Companies are definitely reassessing their whole posture towards Nigeria. There is real worry about the situation deteriorating and no obvious factors acting as a brake. The underlying issues are intractable," Rosser said, adding that companies were delaying investments because of uncertainty.
What happens after elections in April will be critical, analysts say.
"I think we are coming to a turning point," said Miabiye Kuromiema, director of non-government group Our Niger Delta.
"There is a chance we will survive elections without a major crisis and the next president will engage more fundamentally on the issues of the Niger Delta. If not, there will likely be a bigger challenge to oil production."
WAR
All the major political parties in Nigeria are fielding candidates from the predominantly Muslim north after eight years of rule by President Olusegun Obasanjo, a Christian southerner.
The expected power shift rouses sectarian sensibilities in the south, where minority ethnic groups such as the delta's Ijaw see a history of domination by the northern ruling elite.
The spokesman for MEND, who uses the pseudonym Jomo Gbomo, said he expected the next government to get frustrated by fruitless talks and eventually declare a state of emergency.
"A state of emergency will be declared in the Niger Delta when the north believes they are well prepared for a final assault on militants in the delta," he said in an email.
The MEND foresees a long guerrilla war, a mass exodus from the delta, the killing of expatriate workers and a total halt in oil production.

Yet with all this news, 29 hostages currently being held, almost as many kidnappings already this year as in the whole of 2006, Bristow and CHC seem to be doing little in real terms for staff (and Caverton nothing at all), except add a bit to in-country allowances. There's no real effort to pay for really good internet access so that personnel can use Skype reliably to talk to worried families, neither does either company have a helipad in the camps in which they live in Port Harcourt. The new CHC camp will not be ready for a long time and all Bristow personnel are being moved to a single location which will expose them to considerably more risk from the long journey to work. With a helipad, sick or injured employees could at least be medevaced to the Intels SOS clinic which is the only decent hospital in Port Harcourt (Bristow employees are not even members of SOS, so goodness only knows what would happen to them if they are seriously sick or injured. There's no attempt to provide improved leisure facilities for employees who are almost all confined to camp after work. CHC staff don't even have a swimming pool or a decent gym to work out the stress of the present working environment.

Except for the lucky few, many going on leave have to brave the dangerous road journey to Owerri airport as Port Harcourt international airport is closed. Local operator Arik Air has just started a 3 times daily service to the NAF Base using wet leased Dash 8's from Dutch operator Denim Air. Despite this, many companies will not allow their staff to use them until they have completed a safety audit. Quality and safety managers who sit in their nice air-conditioned offices and never have to face journeys like this, are quite happy to let employees travel with other local airlines like Virgin Nigeria and don't think to carry out a genuine 'holistic' safety audit on the entire journey, including the most dangerous part - the road journey to Owerri. I expect it'll take an expat being seriously injured, robbed, kidnapped or, God forbid, killed, before any of these bureaucrats start to think outside their narrow blinkers :mad: . I hear that a number of employees in Bristow are now refusing to be detached to Port Harcourt and there is talk of refusing to travel to/from Port Harcourt if they have to undergo the road trip to Owerri. Bristow also has a much higher proportion of its staff on 5/1 contracts and a number of them are unhappy about still having to work 22 weeks on duty under the present conditions. many have sent their wives out until things improve and even though they're willing to still sork for 10 months a year they want to travel out more often for shorter breaks. As usual Bristow management is totally uncommunicative on any of these issues and questions on back pay, and workover pay all promised after the Eket kidnappings remain unanswered. It's amazing that pilots are still continuing to migrate from CHC to Bristow - as from next week I think there will only be one Brit pilot left working for CHC in PH.

I see little, if any improvement in the short to medium-term future and if things continue as they are oil company operations may be curtailed by the lack of crews to man the helicopter expansion they are expecting to support their new deepwater offshore drilling and development projects. After the legacy of deprivation being left to his subjects by President Obasanjo, I don't see much if any improvement after the forthcoming Presidential elections (if indeed they actually get held :ugh: ). In mant ways it's surprising to see CHC still investing a huge sum of money into its NAF Base operation (esopecially in view of the past record of the Nigerian Air Force of kicking civilian operators out and confiscating all their fixed assets on the base. CHC must be spending close to $2 million on their present hangar and ramp extensions, whilst Bristow's new passenger terminal looks little bigger than that of Caverton (and is taking considerably longer than the new Caverton hangar :bored: ). I wonder if this is linked to the recent departure of their special projects manager to Exxon/Mobil? It's noticeable that CHC has a large number of helicopters less than 3 years old on its ramp area, whilst the tired old Bell 212s and S76A++s of Bristow seem to have declined in number (though it has to be said that NAF Base is one of the smaller operations Bristow has, whilst CHC have only NAF Base and a couple of ancient AS355s in Warri). It would also be interesting to find out what the average age of the pilots in both companies is and whether it's increased or decreased in the last 5 years.

Whichever company you work for, take care out there especially in the swamps, watch your own 6 o'clock and that of your fellow aviators.

Rotor Driver

5th Feb 2007, 23:12

I see lots of posts complaining about the situation in Nigeria. I have made a couple myself, even though I have never been there. I was offered a position there on a few different occasions, but have choosen not to accept. But when you get right down to it, the only person that can be blamed for the situation that the individual finds himself in, is that individual. There are lots of pilot positions available elsewhere! As long as the revenue flows, the company will resists any change. That is just the nature of the business. If you are there, and you are working, you are part of the problem!

Just look back over the last 10 years and see if you can find an incident where the company that you work for improved your work or after work situation of its own accord. Without any outside pressure to do so....didn't happen, and its not going to happen now.

Go on break back to your home country and get sick until the situation improves. Trust me when the money starts slowing to a trickle, the conditions will improve.

archos

6th Feb 2007, 08:52

I see lots of posts complaining about the situation in Nigeria. I have made a couple myself, even though I have never been there.
Say no more!

SASless

6th Feb 2007, 12:32

Go on break back to your home country and get sick until the situation improves.

What happened to the concept of telling the truth?

TomBola

6th Feb 2007, 21:11

Rotor Driver,

By your own admission you have never been to Nigeria, so I suggest you keep your thoughts to yourself.

Phone Wind,

It's as if you have a crystal ball when you talk about the dangers on the road to Owerri. Only today a Filipino oil worker was kidnapped on the road from Owerri to Port Harcourt (bringing the number of Filipino workers currently being detained to 25). The kidnappers are reported to have blocked the road with a van, killed his police escort, who was trying to protect him, and then kidnapped the Filipino.

And there are still companies who expect employees to travel by road between Owerri and Port Harcourt!!? :mad: :eek: . If all workers were to refuse to accept to expose themselves to the unacceptable risk of travelling on this dangerous road, employers may be forced to rethink the use of this route. If it were me, I'd ask if my employer accepted full responsibility for sending me on this journey, unless the safety consultant or whoever, got out of that air-conditioned office, flew to Owerri, travelled by road to Port Harcourt and assessed the risks of that versus Arik and recommended in writing that the road option was considerably safer :yuk: . I'd also want to see a few of senior managers from my company setting the example and travelling that way themselves (their kidnapping could be a salutary lesson and a great way of reducing the number of unecessary administrative staff :E )

Rotor Driver

7th Feb 2007, 00:26

Like I said...I haven't been there. I didn't say that I am not interested in going there. As long as there are people like you willing to work in that environment for those kind of wages, I will probably never get the opportunity. I expect you to respond with something along the line that I am not qualified or I couldn't handle it, but it doesn't change the fact that you accepted the position and continue to put up with this crap.

So, who is part of the problem? You who stay, or me who refuses to continue to fill the pipeline?

Mama Mangrove

7th Feb 2007, 04:34

Like I said...I haven't been there. I didn't say that I am not interested in going there:............ I was offered a position there on a few different occasions, but have choosen not to accept.... :confused:

But when you get right down to it, the only person that can be blamed for the situation that the individual finds himself in, is that individual..... Never heard of MEND then? I guess the Bristow pilots and engineers who were kidnapped from Eket were willing collaborators by your reckoning :suspect: .

I was offered a position there on a few different occasions,.......As long as there are people like you willing to work in that environment for those kind of wages, I will probably never get the opportunity.

Methinks you're a bit confused. You also seem not to have noticed that a siginificant number of those working in Nigeria are actually Nigerian and may not have the opportunity to move elsewhere. If you're genuinely interested in going to Nigeria - and qualified to do so, I doubt you'd have turned down the opoortunity. For myself, I've now left and I don't think I'd be looking at going back with the present state of play there.

Rotor Driver

7th Feb 2007, 05:45

I am not in the slightest confused and I am well qualified...about 3500 hours of 412 time but only 300-400 of S76. I have been offered a position there twice in the last 18 months. The first time I applied, the 2nd time they called me. I declined both offers as unacceptable for both the salary and the rotation considering the political situation and living conditions. I would like to work on the African continent at least once. I am entering the twilight of my career and that is one place that I have never been. I have been to the North Pole and worked in Antarctica and many, many places in between, but I have never even been on the continent of Africa except for 3 days in Cairo which hardly counts.
I actually had a chance long ago...could have gone there from Iran with Bristow (Iranian Helicopters for those that were there!) but I choose to return to the US. Didn't stay in the US long, but never went back to Bristow...
I did speak to Joe Balint a little while ago (for those who new him)...he sounds good.
So to say that IF I have been offered a position I would have taken it, why would I do that if the pay and conditions were less then I was willing to work for? You yourself say that you have left and will probably not return for the very same reasons that I am not willing to go. So what is it that I dont understand?

The political situation sucks, the pay and benefits suck, the living conditions suck and the security sucks...so why would anyone go and why would those that can leave, stay?

archos

7th Feb 2007, 07:30

:rolleyes: The political situation sucks, the pay and benefits suck, the living conditions suck and the security sucks...so why would anyone go and why would those that can leave, stay?
Obviously a whole bunch of suckers working for Bristow and CHC down there! As for your ambitions of working in Africa: Maybe you should be flying tourists up and down the Garden Route?

212man

7th Feb 2007, 08:34

"But when you get right down to it, the only person that can be blamed for the situation that the individual finds himself in, is that individual "

If by 'situation' you mean Nigeria, then the point could be debated. If you mean the 'situation' leading to being attacked and taken hostage then GFY.

helico2003

7th Feb 2007, 09:49

I left Nigeria(Bristow) not too long ago (3months) and after being there for nearly the past 4 years 3 in Eket(212) 1 in PH(Ec155). Anyone who's worked in Africa knows it is not your average 1st world class environment and lots of its countries can be rated well below 3rd world class! That is common knowledge even if you never toured Africa. Places like Nigeria are tolerable as long as the money and rotation are right or OK. However times change and living and working conditions have worsened drastically in the past 12 months in Nigeria particularly in the Delta region. I agree with you Rotor Driver it is up to the individual to change is life cause the environment is there and most of times you cannot change that. If one is not happy have the courage and the guts to move somewhere else even if it costs loosing a good paid job. Experienced pilots will always find a living somewhere else unless one is a real ...:eek: or :8 ! Although I found out that a lot of guys are very reluctant to change and tend to accept some degradation in their living and working conditions just to keep the job (they know well) and to avoid being exposed to a new environment. This explains to me the reason most guys stay in nigeria. As for me I had the guts to leave and I feel very happy where I am now.:)

SASless

7th Feb 2007, 12:55

Perhaps we should start a "Former Bristows Association" but I would think the numbers involved would prove to be a burden.

Perhaps the easier approach would be to see who "has not worked for Bristow".

Mama Mangrove

7th Feb 2007, 16:58

You still seem confused to me. There are a number of people who are unable to leave because they are unable to fly in their own countries thanks to age restrictions. The only reason I have left is because I am too old to fly any more :{ . Oh well, what's the point, you don't seem like the sort of person who would be emotionally suited to working in Nigeria anyway.

Rotor Driver

7th Feb 2007, 21:43

Well if you mean that I am unwilling to bend over and grab my ankles then your right, I am unsuited to that environment. It appears that if it were not for your age you would continue to "bend over and take it".

For the Nigerians that are stuck over there, of course I have no solution to their internal problems. It is my observation (dont know if it holds true in Nigeria) that countries that have problems like Nigeria tend to be very tribal. The battles within the country between the various "tribes" keep the country from advancing with the rest of the world. Most of these countries have absolutely no chance of progressing. The only thing that changes is the tribe in charge, but the corruption continues.

for the expats that are continuing to put up with the companies apparent lack of concern, you and only you have the final say in what conditions you are willing to accept. Apparently the situation has not deteriorated quite far enough yet.

Good Luck and hopefully no one gets hurt over there....

Phone Wind

8th Feb 2007, 05:21

CNN was recently allowed to visit the 24 Filipino hostages being held in the mangrove swamps of Nigeria and in this somewhat chilling interview, the leader of the militants has said that they will step up their campaign of violence. Meanwhile the government talks a lot, but does nothing and the helicopters of the Nigerian Air Force spend most of their time keeping away from the dangerous areas, just carrying out training missions well away from the swamps or ferrying VIPs to Owerri to catch their flights to Lagos or Abuja :ugh:

CNN was recently taken to the hostages and one of the militant hideouts in the Niger Delta. It was an exclusive glimpse of a militant group that calls itself the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, which has ratcheted up its battle for what it says is the unequal distribution of the nation's oil wealth.

Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer. In 2005, it was the world's sixth largest exporter of oil, but the conflict there has cut distribution by an estimated 500,000 barrels per day, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

The militants are threatening to hurt the oil sector even more.

"We are going to descend on all foreign interests in the Nigerian economy, either in the river or in the land," said a masked man who called himself Maj. Gen. Tamuno. He said he was the group's leader.

He gave the interview from the murky swamps where the militants have taken up arms, and said his group would soon launch "Operation Black Locust," aimed at key installations across the country. His militants claimed to have 200,000 fighters among them.

"We are telling all expatriates to leave Nigeria, not only the Niger Delta, but to leave Nigeria. We will take lives, we will destroy lives, we will crumble the economy," he said.

Since late 2005, MEND militants have carried out numerous attacks on Nigeria's oil sector and abducted dozens of foreign workers, releasing nearly all of them unharmed.

But in recent months, the attacks have become more brazen and more frequent. Two car bombings were carried out at oil company compounds in southern Nigeria's largest port town of Port Harcourt on December 18, and in January alone, militants abducted more than 30 people.

"The security situation in the Niger Delta region has deteriorated significantly over the past year. Travel to the region remains dangerous and should be avoided," the U.S. State Department said in its "travel warning" on Nigeria last month.

"Hostages haven been taken from oil facilities, public roadways, and within the city of Port Harcourt."

'Struggle for liberation'
The man who identified himself as MEND's leader said his group is fighting because of billions of dollars being made off the oil rich deposits of the Niger Delta, with very little of the profits making it back to the Nigerian people, especially those in the Delta where some of the world's poorest people live.

More than 2 million barrels of crude oil is pumped out of Nigeria every day, according to the U.S. Energy Department. International oil conglomerates from the United States, China and other countries have taken up stakes in the Niger Delta. Among the oil giants are Shell, ExxonMobil, ChevronTexaco, and oil service companies like Schlumberger and Brazil's Petrobas.

The masked man said his forces are in the middle of a "struggle for the liberation of the Niger Delta, the most devastated and the most threatened region in the world."

"Our fight is against everybody," he said.

Nigerian forces have struggled in the battle. The navy doesn't travel to the regions where CNN went because the waters are so dangerous, patrolled by armed militants in speed boats that quickly navigate through the swamps.

One person who is working to try to bring an end to the crisis is American-born Judith Burdin Asuni. She works for a nongovernmental organization called Academic Associates Peaceworks, which specializes in conflict resolution.

She says everyone bears the blame for what's happening in the Delta.

"The government, the oil companies and even the militants all share the blame," she told CNN. "The situation shouldn't have been allowed to deteriorate to this level."

And she said the militants should be taken extremely seriously.

"The militants are far more well armed than the Nigerian navy. They have bigger guns and speed boats that can practically go anywhere, even shallow waters," she said.

A week ago, the militants sailed into Port Harcourt and boldly made their way to the central police station in the middle of the town and shot their way out, rescuing 15 of their comrades who had been arrested by the navy.

"That's how bold they've become," Asuni said. "They rule the roost."

Former Nigerian military ruler and retired four-star general, Ibrahim Babangida, said the country's leaders must do something soon to try to bring about an end to the crisis.

"The window is closing fast," he said. "The Niger Delta crisis is solvable but our leaders have to act fast. I know the Delta, I spent some time there. Those militants can only wait so long."

MamaPut

8th Feb 2007, 21:18

Some of our expats have quit, some been sent home today as a result of seeing the CNN documentary. More will doubtless fail to return from leave after pressure from their families. Describing the militants, who may or may not have been from MEND, as like Robin Hood was a sick travesty :mad: . Robin Hood took from the rich and gave to the poor, he wasn't involved in kidnapping and extortion of money from the families of innocent men (and now women) to purchase more weapons and terrorise more people :mad: . In spite of all this, both CHC and Bristow are trying to insist crews travel between Port Harcourt and Owerri by road :yuk: . When their management travel to Port Harcourt they only come if they can travel in Aero Dash 8s or executive jets. Just imagine Kone Heaven or Neddy Holdon arriving in Owerri (late of course :} ) on the morning Virgin flight, joining all hoi polloi in the WWE replay (known as the baggage reclaim), only to find that their suitcases have been 'misplaced'. losing their expensive PDA phones to pickpockets and touts, then enduring a couple of hours taking in the sights of the wrecked vehicles of previous travellers on the Road to Hell :eek:

froggy_pilot

8th Feb 2007, 22:14

And now they kidnap frenchies :ugh:

SASless

8th Feb 2007, 23:51

No problem ....if they are typical Frenchmen....the bandits will be offering a reward for someone to take them back!

Just kidding....hope all turns out for the good!

Foggy Bottom

8th Feb 2007, 23:58

Gulf Helicopters had a helicopter hijacked in Yemen several years ago. The Capt was released almost immediatly while all of the passengers were held capative for several days.

Why was the Capt released? He was from India and eveyone knows that you can not collect ransom for an Indian!!

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

9th Feb 2007, 09:50

As far as I can tell road transfers between Owerri and PH have stopped for Bristow. It's helicopter only. That will also soon go and it'll be NAF Base to/from Lagos direct. Better late then never............

Keep your heads down guys. :ok:

NEO

MamaPut

9th Feb 2007, 13:01

NEO,

That's good news - at least Bristow is doing the right thing. I also heard that CHC was moving all its Filipino staff from Nigeria for their safety and peace of mind. Maybe at last the companies are starting to deal with the very real concerns of their employees in Nigeria.

Intersetingly, MEND have denied that the CNN report had anything to do with them, claiming instead that reporter Jeff Koinange had misled the public with his report and threatening to disclose the entire e-mail communication between MEND and CNN if Koinange should dispute what they say:

What CNN has presented as the truth to its unsuspecting viewers, is a collection of thugs, pirates and bunkerers put together by Jeff Koinange and CNN to meet up with the deadline given to Mr. Koinange by his editors in CNN. It is far from the truth.
"The band of criminals paraded by CNN as MEND have nothing to do with MEND. They are indeed the kidnappers of the Filipinos and as earlier stated, carried out this act at the behest of politicians and some misguided so-called Ijaw leaders to prevent an Itsekiri man emerging as governor in Delta State.
"It is astonishing that a network of high repute such as CNN would descend this low in its search for a sensational story. We are reluctant to release our correspondence with Mr. Koinange but will circulate this if our claims are refuted."
In an earlier release, Gbomo had stated: "From the inception of our campaign, all statements from MEND have been released through this email account only and we categorically denied taking the Filipinos."
Apparently refering to another group which claimed to have kidnapped the Filipinos, Gbomo said the so called Major General Tamuno "is unknown to us and is a fraud."
The Filipinoes, he said, "were abducted by a community in Gbaramatu with the connivance of FNDIC in Warri who were paid by local politicians to blackmail the government into annulling the PDP primaries in Delta State.”
Gbomo said the FNDIC in a bid to "lend credence to their fraud and cover up this disgraceful act carried out in the name of the struggle for the liberation of the Niger Delta, they added our original list of demands to their intended goals."
The struggle for the liberation of the Niger Delta, he said in the release, "has no relationship with the PDP primaries for which the Filipinos are being held. This same group of frauds in their earlier release claimed to hold the Italian hostages as well. This has long been disproved".

If true, this may well be good news as MEND have pretty much abided by their promises and actually do seem more interested in politics than kidnapping for financial gain. The CNN news report caused a lot of people here in Port Harcourt a lot of stress and Filipino expats here have been very worried by it, especially as it seems that they are being targeted at present. Bristow and CHC are doing the right thing in relocating or removing them. There have been reports that many Filipinos have been catching flights from Port Harcourt today. It's sad that these gentle and hard-working people have been made unwitting victims in the Delta problems. Without them, both the offshore and onshore oil sectors and the aviation companies in Nigeria will be badly affected.

The President, and the military, despite not appearing to take any positive action are at least talking with communities in the Niger delta and with Pengassan in an attempt to calm the situation. Sadly, with elections due soon, it may be a case of too little, too late. In Nigeria, there's always a lot going on behind the scenes which is unreported, so there's still hope of an improvement in the situation before the international reputation of Nigeria is further tarnished.

etienne t boy

9th Feb 2007, 15:20

flungdung,
I think you've got it in one there :) . If not for the fact that we had a scene from the camp where the Filipinos are being held, I'd almost have suspected that he'd filmed the whole thing in Ghana. Still, lots of good profile shots of him with his chin jutting forward in best heroic and manly fashion. He certainly did a good job of helping these terrorists because today Filipino families are flocking out of Nigeria :\ .

Phone Wind

9th Feb 2007, 17:29

Rivers state in Nigeria has now been declared to be on Red Alert. This basically means that the Federal Government will be taking over much of the responsibility for security in the State. Expect lots more Army and Police roadblocks and 'stop and search' starting in the next couple of days. Movement may well be more difficult, but after today's 3 incidents of robbing, killing and kidnapping in Port Harcourt something needs to be done and, hopefully things will be a bit safer.
Shell have told all their expatriate staff on the Shell Residential Area to stay on the RA and not go to work from tomorrow until 18th February.

swampqueen

14th Feb 2007, 09:31

Come on guys/gals there must be some more rumours out there! or has everyone been taken hostage?

Tokunbo

14th Feb 2007, 17:06

Swampie,

Actually the number of hostages has fallen since the release of the 24 Filipino seamen from the Bacoliner yesterday. Sadly, the 3 hostages taken from Brass are now in their 70th day of captivity and there seems no prpospect of their release until after the elections.

Road travel in the Port Harcourt area is considerably slowed down by huge fuel queues which also are unlikely to go down until after the elections. There's little sign of the military deployment on the streets since the Red Alert - this is because the majority of the troops have been deployed into the riverine areas to help in trying to weed out some of the militants from their camps in the creeks and the swamps.

The Nigerian Minister for Information, in characteristic fashion made a complete fool of himself in his efforts to discredit the CNN report by Jeff Koinange, featuring so-called MEND fighters in the swamps with the kidnapped Filipinos. MEND actually say that the CNN report grossly underestimated the numbers of fighters and weapons (many captured from the many police and military who have been killed in the Delta), and if he had been more accurate the report would have been far more disturbing.

Back in the real world, Bristow is having great trouble getting any expat staff to go to Port Harcourt because of the 'security situation' or to keep those it has there. Some of the security situation is just being whipped up by the press, like CNN. Sadly, the staff of both Bristow and CHC now have night time curfews (though not, of course those of Caverton - they probably just stay in some 1* doss house with no security, so they're not targets and the militants know their company wouldn't pay a kobo for them anyway :} ). Both companies staff can also be seen being escorted to work by armed escorts now. At least CHC staff in Port Harcourt live fairly close to work, have internet in their houses, a company bar (even if it is a gay bar :E ), have good individual rooms which are reasonably equipped with essentials like refrigerators and en-suite bathrooms and know that if they are injured in an incident or accident, they can get treatment in the SOS clinic at Intels (probably the only clinic in Port Harcourt worth a damn). Bristow, on the other hand, have a long, nasty journey to work as they move into more secure housing a long way out of town, may well be sharing bathrooms, find the fridge is only good for putting things on top of as it doesn't work, probably have no internet access either at work or at home and if they're shot or injured at night, have to try and find a driver or a friend to take them to some crummy bush clinic (if anyone even knows where it is :ugh: ). Many of the Bristow staff have still not been paid their accrued leave pay, months after it was promised and a lot of employees on an 'accompanied' deal are angry that their increase was proportionately much lower than anyone elses and that they still have to work 22 weeks on site before they get any leave. Communication from upper management is almost non-existent. I forecast another sizeable of exodus from Bristow, just leaving Nigeria and great difficulties in being able to fulfil their contracts in Port Harcourt because of staff shortages.

However, the Nigerian Minister of Tourism claims that Nigeria is on the verge of a tourist boom, with tourism set to take over from oil as the main earner in the Nigerian economy by 2009!!! :} :} :} . Nigerian immigration officials are being despatched to frontier posts to start a count of the number of tourists entering. Unfortunately they only have one pencil and 2 pages of paper between them, but luckily this should be about 2 pages of paper and one pencil more than is required :} :} :E . One travel site proudly proclaims:

The main tourist attractions in Nigeria have to be the animals: Hippos, elephants and even lions, all in their natural habitat. There are also over 600 species of birds to see while hiking across vast stretches of parks.

Actually, I'm not sure if it's a travel site or a new comedy site!

So, what else did you want to know?

Mama Mangrove

14th Feb 2007, 17:50

Okay, we all know there are lies, damn lies and statistics, but some of the humanitarian statistics for Nigeria make interesting reading (Nigeria Facts (http://www.alertnet.org/db/cp/nigeria.htm))

Average life expectancy has declined from 51.5 to 43.4 years since 2000 and the percentage with access to improved water has declined from 62% to 48% since 2000. Average literacy has slightly improved, but it's the number of cellular telephone users which shows the biggest increase, from 0.3% to 14% of the population since 2000. In terms of corruption ranking (where 1 is the least and 145 the most corrupt) it ranks slightly better than last year (142), but was only 90 in 2000, so things in general since democracy have been getting worse. The percentage of the population living on less than $1 per day has changed little from the 70.2% of 2000 to the 70.8% of today, though it's obvious that the transition to democracy and the huge increase in the oil price have done absolutely nothing for the ordinary person. After all this, people wonder why there's so much unrest as the people continue to see their oil wealth squandered for the benefit of just a few corrupt politicians while they live in squalor. This must be the most corrupt government Nigeria has ever endured :mad:

Good Man In Africa

18th Feb 2007, 13:46

Yup, due to pressure from Good Woman In Africa I called the Boss and told him I won't be going back to Wunderland until I (or more importantly, she) can see an improvement in conditions there.

By conditions I mean the whole package: security, accommodation, Ts & Cs, the whole nine yards.

The last straw was the Bristow guy I just heard about who was 17 hours in a " company approved" hospital in agony before a doctor even looked at him. Then he got told he shouldn't smoke !! Luckily he didn't die (quite) and is being properly cared for now. What the hell ??!!

Good Luck Guys.

Tokunbo

18th Feb 2007, 14:48

GMIA,

Good for you! I wish I had the guts to do what you have. Like many of us here, I now always have some worries for my security. Looks as if you're the first of those I forecast would be leaving and it's ironic that it also comes as the result of another thing I mentioned - Bristow's cynical refusal to do anything about providing proper healthcare for their employees in Nigeria whilst they are there. There are a (very) few decent clinics in the country with well-trained doctors who also have paramedic training to enable them to give proper treatment for things such as gunshot wounds and critical illnesses. CHC, as has been said, fulfils the duty of care to its employees far better, with night standby vehicles and drivers at its accommodation, proper night call-out procedures with a 24 hour manned radio room and armed MOPOL available to escort any sick staff to hospital by day or night. Many people in Bristow have not even got an idea of where they will be taken, or where they should take their colleagues in the event they fall sick outside working hours. Despite being a large city, Port Harcourt is poorly served for medical facilities to treat anything other than pregnancy or malaria. Some hospitals may have good facilities, but they don't have the trained staff to use them 24/24 and many Nigerian hospital staff appear to have little interest in the welfare of their patients (and here I speak from bitter and unforgettable experience :ugh: ). Even if someone is taken to a hospital, he is often left there with no security whatsoever. as far as I know there is only one clinic in Port Harcourt which has a helipad available 24/24 because it's lit, is secure (because it's inside the most secure living area in Port Harcourt), and has properly trained, caring paramedic staff always on call. If you work for a company which is not using that facility in the present security situation, I'd suggest you write to someone in senior management and ask why it is failing in its duty of care to you when such a facility is available and informing them that you hold them fully responsible if something should happen to you if they fail to respond. Put it in writing and make sure you get a reply, so you have something to refer to later if the worst happens.

GMIA, I think you'll be the first of many unless companies stop just coming up with feeble excuses and start taking security seriously rather than just paying lip service to it.

Oh, and if anyone thinks that CHC is whiter-than-white in this respect, maybe their employees should start asking when they're going to stop leaving for work at the same time every day. They talk of the new secure Death camp, but that's all they do -talk. Have their security advisors carried out a safety assessment of their present accommodation (it should make amusing reading if they have, because security their is a sick joke :{ ). Accommodation was available at the new Intels camp more than a year ago (still is, I believe), but they're just constantly being put off with architects impressions of how nice things will be years down the road when they move.

It's only a matter of time now before helicopters sit out on the ramp in the morning due to the lack of crews rather than the Harmattan :uhoh:

froggy_pilot

18th Feb 2007, 17:19

At least CHC is heavily investing in Nigeria
Brand new aircrafts, new hangar. What about Bristow?
The supposed "Death Camp", let's wait and see what it will be. CHC bought the land so they can do what they want, they will bring everything down and built new buildings, swiming pool ... What about Bristow?
With CHC you have access to a real hospital. What about Bristow?
Salary are nearly the same for both companies but with Bristow you have no loss of licence...
The CHC package is still one of the best
I am not saying that everything is great with CHC, but I personnaly prefer to work for a company which is going forward

SASless

18th Feb 2007, 17:26

I am not saying that everything is great with CHC, but I personnaly prefer to work for a company which is going forward

Spot on Mate!:D :D

jako

18th Feb 2007, 17:51

Froggy pilot,

you're 100% right :ok:

anjouan

18th Feb 2007, 19:54

Hm froggy,

Let's just examine that in a bit more detail shall we?

Heavily investing in Nigeria, or only in Port Harcourt, the only place where it has a significant helicopter presence? Brand new aircraft? Well, I guess you're just looking at one of Bristow's smaller operations, that at NAF where they have some old aircraft which are soon leaving. Remember that as opposed to CHC's 17 or so helicopters in Nigeria, Bristow has over 40. Of CHC's helicopters 5 are owned by NNPC and one by River's State Government. Of Bristow's helicopters 6 are owned by Shell. Bristow has many new bell 412EPs at QIT, with more on the way and will shortly have the first S76C++s in Nigeria, an aircraft with a rather more useful payload and range than the 365N3. The AW139 has yet to prove itself in this environment and is not on the Shell list of approved aircraft. It has great single-engine performance, but with the resultant penalty of high fuel burn and limited range for a helicopter of its size. It also has a very poor baggage capacity and the same C of G problems which plagued the S76 for years. For around $3 million more than an S76, it doesn't seem to offer a significantly large advantage. IMHO, the problems of getting the range the oil companies will need for the real deepwater fields will require something with significantly more range or payload, such as the AS332L2, the EC225 or the S92.

The new CHC hangar is being built at great expense on the NAF Base, a place from which all the civil operators have been expelled at short notice at least 3 times in the last few years. Maybe there's a reason why Bristow is biding its time? I'm sure the shareholders wouldn't be happy to see a multi-million dollar investment confiscated by the military. If you think that's a flight of fancy, just have a look at what some of the more likely contenders for President are talking about doing: talking with the Venezuelans about nationalising lots of oil companies here. It's already been done in the past with BP.

The death camp is still a pipe dream, more than 6 months after the land was purchased, and it wasn't CHC's idea; it was purchased by Aero Contractors. In the meantime, nothing is being done about providing safe and secure accommodation in Port Harcourt for Aero staff. By the end of the month, all Bristow staff will have been moved to approved secure housing, whilst all CHC do is talk, talk, talk. The new Bristow housing already has swimming pools and all modern sporting facilities, with the possible exception of Calabar (and Escravos no longer has a swimming pool, but crews only spend 4 weeks there). You're certainly right about the loss of licence and many in Bristow were very disappointed when that was not re-introduced in their new salary package in December. As for the hospital issue, that's certainly something which needs addressing urgently, but whether it will be or not, nobody knows. It's interesting that you say that salaries are nearly the same as I hear that all the pilots who have left CHC for Bristow have had an increase in salary. However, as is always the case in this industry, one will be better one year, another the next. It's also about time CHC introduced a proper way of paying a standard monthly salary without staff having to claim for it, and large fluctuations in pay. Remember that there's a great deal of difference between the illusion of going forward and the reality. More companies are being run by people who have no interest in aviation per se, only in the money which can be made from it, and shareholders are only interested in the bottom line.... $$$$$$.

froggy_pilot

18th Feb 2007, 20:54

Anjouan

First of all CHC bought Shreiner just for Port Harcourt rotary wing operation, but I think you forget to talk about the new few Boing 737 :*

About the 40 Bristow aircrafts you must include the PanAf single eng helicopter in Escravos which have to be soon change to twin eng if they don't loose the contract :E

About the 139 not approved by Shell, let Shell deal with oil and not with aero matters, when I think that they bought EC 155 (a long range helicopter) to fly from Shell IA to Soku (less than 15 min of flight) or Nun River :ugh:

For choosing a helicopter, remember that it's the oil companies who are taking the final decision, you won't give a model to an oil company if they don't want it. All oil companies have "aeronautical specialists" to give advices and recommendations to decision makers

For the "death camp" I believe that CHC priority is going to operations, before housing which make sense
"nothing is being done about providing safe and secure accommodation in Port Harcourt for Aero staff" as far as I know Areta will be the last camp in PH to be attacked, just because of who owns the place :E
I never heard of any threat in Areta, which is not the case with Bristow camps recently...........
I do agree that hiring those Pointer Security is a waste of money, but we do have a lot more MOPOLS, but honnestly I don't think the number of MOPOLS really matters if militants really want to enter a place, if they can attack the central police station in PH just to free one of them...:sad:
Remember also that AERO is 60% nigerian and that can make a huge difference during those trouble times

For the new hangar in NAF, why has Bristow recently invested in a new hangar also ? Why don't they invest in a new hangar in international airport, may be shareholders are happy to see their aircrafts sleeping outside during harmattan or rainy season :}

Whatever, you always find people who think that's better next door, and keep moving from one company to another one, to finally come back to their departure point.

And please stop saying that Bristow will do this and will do that.
They were supposed to introduce a loss of licence...
Let's keep to the facts, sorry I am like Saint Thomas I believe what I see

etienne t boy

19th Feb 2007, 05:08

Now, now girls, as everyone knows, there's NO such thing as a good company to work for in Nigeria.
Point of order Mr froggy - with the exception of NLNG, all foreign companies in Nigeria are 60% Nigerian - that's the law.

SASless

19th Feb 2007, 13:25

Um....,

Every so often we read a post such as yours suggesting posts pointing out problems are some sort of aid and abetting the bad guys.

The reality is any idiot with evil intent in mind can assess the situation at street level and obtain exactly the same information. What is visible to all has to be accepted as "non-classified" information.

Where the folks live, how they get to work, the starting point, ending point, departure times, routes travelled, security personnel, all are quite easy to determine by a simple straight forward recce. The insurgents and criminal gangs are very capable in that regard already.

The problem in these kinds of situations is being able to vary any and all of the above in such a fashion as to be "unpredictable"

The next level if one cannot be "unpredictable" is to be well armed and thus become a "hard" target vice a "soft" target.

I would suggest in Nigeria.....neither of those methods are possible. The Mopo's cannot be relied upon to stand and die in an ex-pats defense. The Insurgents have shown that repeatedly as they appear to have prevailed in all of the attacks to date.

I participated in numerous Protective Services Details over a period of five years thus have an understanding of what methods, procedures, and tactics are used in doing such work. The situation expats are confronted with in Nigeria, particularly Port Harcourt is one I would reccommend to the Protectee that he not expose himself to the risk of ground travel at all and only do travel by helicopter or airplane. Sadly, that adds to the risk element because one has to protect the take off and landing points as well as do the ground escort as well.

At some point the situation will get to the point where all travel becomes too risky and the insurgents will have won.

archos

19th Feb 2007, 15:29

Um...
Any company driver, gardener or cook steward can give away more clues about your habits and movements to the bad guys than all the posts on this thread together. Not to mention the colleagues working "for you" in the ops room, the hangar or office.

SASless

19th Feb 2007, 15:45

Let's go down the list of things said here and compare them to the possibility of them being found out by someone planning some action against the folks.

Start Point and stop points....now that is a hard one for them.

Route selection....again how many different ways are there to go?

Timing....predictable? Yes...very.

Identifying the vehicles used....one day outside each start and end point takes care of that.

Security personnel (armed personnel)....again...standing on a street corner for a day will take care of that.

Security procedures at the start point....stop point....how many local staff are employed by the operators? That takes care of that.

Communications.....harder but not as important.

Reaction forces....pre-planned ambush sites takes care of that.

Target selection.....pretty easy to figure out who the "White Boys" are.

All generic issues UM....what can be said here that provides the bad guys information that they do not already know....or can find out with as little as 12 hours of recce done in one day?

I would suggest the truth of the matter is....the Insurgents can strike at the time of their choosing as they have already done on many occasions.

UM....the fat is in the fire already....they may be Nigerian but as very many of the Nigerians we work with are, the Insurgents are very capable individuals.

The real question that needs answering should be along the lines of "What has the operators done to counter these issues?". Just as important is what can be done using the existing infrastructure and physical plant locations?

At some point does the security situation dictate major changes in the way business is done, such as building secure facilities so that no travel is required to be done by ground, put them behind lots of barbed wire and earthen berms with over head protection against mortars and RPG's. (Sounds like some places in Afghanistan or Iraq or Northern Ireland somehow!)

The bottom line on Security is cost.....and one must always remember that any physical security system can be penetrated. One must chose between two methods.....preventing a breach or containment of a breach the difference in them being "no attacker gets in" and the other is "no attacker gets out".

As in any security situation....travel is the most dangerous part of the equation. Invariably, the Insurgent has the advantage over the target. The attacker plans.....the target can only react.

Captain Buck

19th Feb 2007, 16:52

Um,

Hm, maybe you need to get out a bit more (difficult I guess if all you guys are on lockdown) and read some of the posts on the Military forum before you make pronouncements about how military guys would be in chokey. Are you still in the military by any chance?

Here's what the Australian government has had to say on its website (for at least 9 months) about at least one of the companies being mentioned:
Security has been increased at airports in the south of the country due to threats to oil and gas industry related flights. This includes flights operating between Owerri, Warri and Lagos. Recent credible reporting indicates a potential terrorist threat against the Nigerian Aero Contractors airline..

Maybe these 2 airheads are just fed up because they have had no response from their companies form what they feel to be very real concerns. I know that if I were out there right now and my company was ignoring my concerns about safety and security, I'd be pretty darned annoyed too and just maybe, airing those concerns here might get them to do something about it and make other folks think twice before commiting themselves to going to Nigeria until something is done. Neither of them actually seems to have actually said much of anything specific, except about building hangars or medical facilities and I'd guess a lot of that must either be pretty obvious or on the public domain anyway.

I've never worked for any company presently in Nigeria and I don't think I'd much like to be there right now, but for all of you that are, I hope you stay safe and remember that loo slips ink ships - or somthing like that.

froggy_pilot

19th Feb 2007, 21:52

Security ? What a joke...

First of all, working hours are not a secret :ugh: and we can't really change it as we can't fly at night

Second, we are really easy targets, we keep giving all details... :\ :ouch:

Has anybody some suggestions to secure our frequencies, I think that should be the first priority for all companies. (only really cheap solutions as they won't spend too much :E )

SASless

19th Feb 2007, 22:01

why don't you do it in a more appropriate (read private) venue, be sure you know who you're communicating WITH and work toward solutions instead of publicizing the sort of information that's appeared in the last couple of days on this thread without a thought toward your colleagues.
There are a whole lot of people in Nigeria who are absolutely spectacular at pointing out where all the problems are and then they smugly sit on their a*ses saying 'I told you so'.Back home we call them barbers and taxi drivers.

Um....how many times have folks beseeched the Dino's to act proactively about Security, Transportation, lodging et al, to no avail. Don't confuse those who have been there for years and thereafter take issue with those whose poor decisions place them in peril with those that have not been there and thus do not have an accurate understanding of the situation.

Please read back on the thread and look for the discussion about Bristow's sohphisticated response to the morning Lagos Crew bus getting tricked by 9mm parabellums with two pilots being wounded and the rest somewhat rattled. The installation of velour curtains on the bus and the installation of an FM radio was an amazing measure guarnateed to prevent similar attacks.

There is a lot of history to this situation that you may have missed over the years if you have been hanging out in the military forum and were not a regular here.

Ask around and find out how many pilots have been held hostage at some point in their employment....sometimes by the bandits and insurgents too.

For that matter....how many takeovers have been done by the police or Army for that matter. I can recall leaving Forcardos North Bank when it became apparant the Army Troops there were going to occupy the aircraft by running off the waiting Shell passengers by pointing guns at them.

The Nigerian Oil Patch dances to a different tune than most places.

Perro Rojo

19th Feb 2007, 22:31

Boys, boys, boys.

As a long time CHC employee I'm here to tell you that YVR will NOT address the security concerns that you all are discussing. To do so would be to admit that there IS a security problem.

Umm..., go fly a kite. This Nigeria discussion makes for interesting reading for the rest of us and keeps us up to date on the latest happenings in case the Boss should try and send us to Nigeria.

chuks

20th Feb 2007, 08:15

After being shot at on our way to Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Nigeria I went through a period of analysis, SASless-style, even though I have never knowingly eaten any snakes.

At the end of it all I came to the same basic conclusion: living in an insecure suburb of Lagos one is just too damned exposed to the risk of an ambush. Tactics favour the bad guys in that they can always bring more deadly force to bear at a certain point than you could ever afford to have with you, even if it were available. (I mean guys with clean, serviceable weapons who can shoot straight; I wouldn't expect Legionnaires ready to die to the last man.)

'Umm' has a point, I suppose, but it's pretty clear to anyone in the area that the compound has a fixed location, fixed travel times, fixed routes (given that one could only drive out the gate and go right, right, left, right to the motorway or else go left, left, left, right to the motorway). For inside intelligence just one of the amateur prostitutes allowed to roam freely would suffice and just one bad guy with a mobile telephone watching the gate would do very nicely to tell the ambush team when to expect a certain vehicle at a certain point.

If you didn't want to go to the trouble of a roadblock you could just hang out in the milling crowds at one of the many points where a vehicle is slowed to a crawl in the usual Nigerian traffic chaos.

Even the most stupid of crims must be able to figure out the basics of how to pull this one off. Our lot were f*ck-ups in that they blocked our vehicle and then opened fire when they were supposed to block our vehicle, next rob us and THEN open fire. (I wanted to point this out to them but there was just no time for that, 'Hey, you! You are getting this all wrong!')

Management dismissed what happened as a one-off, basically. Well, what else could they do; spend a lot of money to upgrade our security when the threat level would inevitably rise like a tide to overwhelm whatever was accomplished? Better perhaps to just wait and see what happened next.

Either they were right or they have just been lucky but that gun attack was on 10 September 2001 and there has not been another one quite like it on that particular operation. Why not, no one really knows. Meanwhile guys are dying elsewhere, to say nothing of the way people are being grabbed right off the streets where it was once enough to avoid 'bush bars.'

I think the logical thing would be to do it Viet Nam-style and live right there next to the aircraft. That would mean the Nigerian Government admitting they have lost control of security, though. When have they done anything but paper over the cracks?

Algeria makes an interesting contrast, what little I have seen so far. If there are no vehicles at the destination airstrip you do not land, period. Of course one of these days it will be bad guys instead of good guys in the vehicles but things haven't got quite that far yet.

SASless

20th Feb 2007, 13:35

Chuks,
You give too little credence to the effect of blue curtains on armed robbers. It must be pretty daunting in that there has been no repeat of the event in Lagos. Perhaps they have gone south and gotten into kidnapping which seems to have a better payoff than an armed robbery of Bristow Pilots.

They must have had a mole in the office eavesdropping on the Mandarins rather than co-opting the barman who would have repeated our moans about the pay and allowances.

Since taking the vow of sobriety I have seen some snakes and spiders but not eaten any yet.

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

21st Feb 2007, 09:22

There are a number of internationally known reputable security outfits operating in Nigeria. Control Risks, Armor Group etc. They live in the most secure compounds available in whichever area they are working. In Port Harcourt it is acknowledged that the safest place (except for the odd car bomb) is the RA. Next is Intels and that is where they are. We can't all fit in at Intels and Shell don't operate a B & B business, so where does that leave the rest of us ?

The earlier comment about Arreta being safe because of who owns it would have been valid during normal times, but these are not normal times. The gangs using the militancy to jump on the bandwagon and make money out of kidnapping, robbery etc couldn't care less who owns what, they just want the money. Same applies to Woji and Elelenwo.

One way to minimise the risk may be to accommodate people where they work and take advantage of the client's security blanket. Pay a premium to them for the lack of freedom and back charge it to the client in exchange for keeping their air lifeline running. Everyone has a choice. If the money isn't enough the exit door is open. There's work all over the world without these worries.

20 MOPOL in a convoy with flashing lights looks impressive, but when getting ambushed in a go slow by 50 well armed robbers it'll be window dressing. Why would they get killed to protect someone they don't even know for N5,000 a month (that's if their Commissioner pays them) ?

IMHO the transport area is the weak point in all this.

Just my two penneth, or cents worth for our friends across the pond.

NEO

chuks

21st Feb 2007, 13:57

Check out the National Geographic magazine for February. It has an article titled, 'Curse of Nigerian Oil,' which seems to tell it much as it is without offending those all-important local sensitivities.

noooby

21st Feb 2007, 17:02

Captain Buck:
Aero receive security threats from people nearly everyday. That statement on the Aussie Embassey website has been there for a good 6 months or so.

NEO:
Errr..... The Control Risks person employed by CHC lived with us on the Areta compound, not somewhere else, he should be back here a couple of weeks before elections to see how his changes are working. He was, impressed with how quickly his suggestions have been implemented, and by the fact that the company supported his recommendations with no whinging, all the way back to and including Vancouver. Thankyou Control Risks for sending us a guy who gave us the lowdown on what the real risks are.

And what did the Control Risks guy say was at the top of his list of things to watch for in Nigeria????? Avian bird flu. He reckons that is going to be like armageddon here at some point.

While I don't feel as safe here as I do in my home country, I do feel that adequate precautions are being taken to minimise my exposure to risk. Be aware of your surroundings, and always have an exit strategy. The SMS warning system introduced by CHC seems to be working well. All new hires are given a SIM card, gratis, so that they can be warned of trouble areas to avoid. Another system implemented by Control Risks.

SASless

21st Feb 2007, 17:55

Nooby,

Did the Control Risks project include training on what to do if taken?

There is a lot of material available on the web to read about that.

If you run across a certain Bristow Pilot that spent about three weeks in the bush courtesy of some hijackers....get him to talk to you about his experience.

He did an almost perfect performance while being held.:D

Guten Tag!

Captain Buck

21st Feb 2007, 19:27

noooby,
I'm glad you're happy with control risks, but why don't you have somebody from your security consultants with you all the time? It must be difficult to assess the risks if you're not there. I'm not there and all I have to assess what's happening is what you guys all right (and I'd hate to make any assessment based on that and a visit of a few days or weeks). I did point out myself that the warning has been there for nearer 9 months, and the fact that it's still there must mean something mustn't it? I'm surprised you get threats almost every day - what are you doing to upset these guys if you're just an air transport operator? We Americans, the Brits, the Aussies and most of the European nations have warnings on their diplomatic websites, and many of them now warn against any travel to the delta area of Nigeria except if absolutely necessary. I have a friend working for Shell out there who tells me that all their families have been sent back home, they're not even allowed to travel anywhere by road now (apparently they get ferried around by chopper) and even their national staff are only allowed to visit Port Harcourt if they have some kind of management approval saying that their journey is essential.
I once worked in Cameroon and it was totally different from what I read here every week. However, even there, with no problems like you guys have, some guys got complacent and then got mugged because they let their guard down.
The idea of a sim card and sending messages to people sounds pretty good. I found in Cameroon that while the internet was slow and unreliable, the cellular phone system was pretty good. Do all the companies there do the same thing? It would seem sensible if they cooperated on matters like this even if they're commercial competitors.
It sounds as if you're pretty much enjoying out there despite what's going on, but watch out you don't get complacent and let your guard down. remember that an exit strategy only works if you're somewhere where they have an exit. Keep safe and good luck.

noooby

21st Feb 2007, 19:47

SASless, yes I have info on what to do if kidnapped. Ofcourse, every kidnapping scenario is different, and no "idiots guide to being kidnapped" is going to prepare you for every different scenario. Have worked with people who have been kidnapped in Sth America, and have listened to their advice too.

Captain Buck, NEVER be complacent!!! ALWAYS minimise risk and/or exposure to risk. Be as safe as you possibly can.

Tis a real shame that the country is how it is when you think of the billions that have been squandered by various governors and presidents. The one thing that MEND really don't have is a political wing. But then, would they really be any better??:ugh:

anjouan

22nd Feb 2007, 05:10

Shell has now asked all expatriate staff who work in the Niger Delta not to return from leave:

Operations of Shell Petroleum Development Company in Niger Delta region have suffered further setback as the management of the Dutch oil firm directed its expatriate employees currently on annual vacation outside Nigeria not to return to the country.

Our correspondent learnt that the order emanated from the office of the Regional Chief Executive in charge of SHELL Africa, Mrs. Ann Pickard.

Already, Pickard had communicated the order to all foreign nationals in the service of Dutch firm reportedly on holiday abroad.

It was gathered that about 300 expatriates of different nationalities were affected by the stay away order.

A reliable source in western operational division of SPDC in Warri informed our correspondent that the directive was sequel to the worsening security situation in the region, especially the unabating abduction of foreign nationals in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states.

Our correspondent learnt that Pickard said the order would remain in force until security situation in the region improves to guarantee the safety of oil workers, particularly foreigners.

Our source said, ”The regional management has directed foreign workers in SPDC, who are currently on vacation to stay away from Nigeria until further notice because of the precarious security situation in the Niger Delta.

”Our management said kidnap of oil workers has not abated and that the safety of the foreigners could not be guaranteed in the region for now.”

Consequently, our correspondent learnt that some strategic assignments in the company, which required the expertise of the foreigners, had been abandoned in the wake of the latest disposition of the management.

SPDC‘s spokesman, Mr. Bisi Ojediran, confirmed the order, adding that the company regularly reviews the security situation in its areas of operation.

”We advise our staff, Nigerians, expatriates and contractors on their movements based on our assessment of the current risks, as a precautionary measure. We advised delay return for some of our expatriate staff returning to Niger Delta. That was for a short period only, they are now returning,” he added.

Meanwhile, as the elections get closer, politicians are just making the problem worse by covertly supporting the criminal gangs carrying out the kidnappings:

Kidnapping for ransom has become a booming business in Nigeria's oil producing region, the Niger Delta, and as the country prepares for April's general elections, the trend sees no sign of waning.

In the past year, violence and kidnapping in the Delta has spiralled.

More than 100 foreign workers have been abducted, some by militant groups fighting for local control of the oil wealth.

But increasingly hostages have been taken by gangs of gunmen seeking ransoms.

As a result some companies have pulled out, those that remain live under increasingly tight security.

'Getting jumpy'

"There were always troubles with various groups. But over the last year, the trouble's moved into town," said one oil worker living in a guarded compound in Port Harcourt.

"Before it was rather remote, happening in the swamps or way out of town in the bush, but then it came into town and that's when the curfew was introduced," explained the man, who wished to remain anonymous.

"Those of us who are here, tend to belong to a group of expats, who've been around the world, seen a lot of things. So it does take a lot to faze them.

"But even so they are getting fazed, they are getting weary. Even I when I go out of the compound with my driver, we look both ways to see if there is anyone who might want to take me, see if there's a car who might try and block us to take me away. So we are not exactly neurotic, but we getting a bit jumpy, a bit nervous."

Lockdown

So on the streets of Port Harcourt, few foreigners venture out without an armed escort.

Thousands of workers have left, many companies who remain are operating a lockdown on the compounds where workers live.

No-one is allowed out.

Those who work for the oil majors, like Shell and Chevron, can be housed in huge, relatively well-guarded, compounds. Even so, militants managed to plant a car bomb inside a Shell compound late last year.

Those most at risk work for contractors working in the industry both in the city and in the more remote countryside.

But now, even non oil sector foreigners have been kidnapped.

From pauper to rich man

Last year, initially most of those kidnapped were held by militants, who say they are fighting for local control of the oil wealth, and have been demanding the release of two prominent local leaders - including imprisoned militant Mujahid Dokubo Asari.

But increasingly, criminal gangs have become responsible for the bulk of the hostage takings.

Kidnapping has become a huge lucrative business.

"A lot of people know who is involved. You will know someone today who is a pauper, but once the man succeeded in a hostage taking, he is a rich man," explains Casi, a former gang member.

"So this is motivating others to take hostages.

"Six, seven people can get together, get a rifle and take some white people hostage. Maybe after five days the government will come and negotiate and release them. There are groups who are doing this thing just because of the ransom."

Gangs 'protected'

The Nigerian military faces a difficult task. Violence fuelled by poverty and neglect has been on the rise for years.

But with elections approaching, many say politicians are protecting the gangs, because they want to use them to rig elections.

More generally, the army is ill-equipped to patrol the creeks and forests of the Delta, an area about the size of Scotland - where the gangs take their hostages.

Brigadier general Samuel Saliyu is the top commander in Port Harcourt and says ultimately the solution to the violence is political not military.

"There is political will, but there are some in the political elite who are criminalizing, colluding and conniving.

"It's making our job difficult."

Chronic under-development

In the waterfront area of Port Harcourt, people are poor, living in densely packed houses and shacks. In the distance where the shacks end, a high walled oil company compound stands, with all the amenities one would find in the West.

Some Italian oil workers were kidnapped near here, last year. Residents say they do not approve of kidnapping, but say it's driven by poverty.

"It all boils down to under-development of the Niger Delta," said one local butcher.

"If you look at it they are unemployed, but they can see that this region produces the oil which makes the country rich, while they don't have anything. So if you address this thing, I think the kidnapping problem will be OK."

It's pretty much undeniable that the more general malaise in the Delta is down to poverty and unemployment, largely the consequence of decades of government corruption and neglect.

But other parts of Nigeria are poor, too.

It's just that in the Delta - where there's places to hide, plenty of ex-pats, political collusion, and an easily applicable cause - kidnapping for ransom has become a safe, booming business.

Two of the hostages currently being held remain unaccounted for, but there has been one small item of good news - one of the hostages kidnapped from Brass, a Lebanese, was released after 10 weeks and 6 days in captivity.

Anyone who really thinks that adequate measures can be taken to minimise his exposure to risk is living in a dream world!

chuks

22nd Feb 2007, 07:00

I was grimly amused once, a long time ago now (1985), when my Nigerian co-pilot was expressing enthusiasm for 'IBB,' General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, the military strong man who was going to sort out political corruption, put Nigeria back on the straight and narrow and restore democracy, all at the point of a gun. This young man didn't seem to see the paradox in a man who had just overthrown an elected president (well, 'elected' in the same way that 'democracy' in Africa relates to democracy as it is generally known) discovering a great enthusiasm for what he had just destroyed.

We all know how that one worked out. For anyone who hasn't been paying attention, IBB ended up insanely rich, lots of people who opposed him ended up dead, and instead of democracy his legacy was misrule by a thuggish, homicidal dwarf in Michael Jackson signature model Ray-Bans, General Sani Abacha.

IBB had a sort of benign image, always shown with an expression of firm resolve or dull amiability in his press photos, where Abacha always looked as if he ate babies for breakfast. The corpses were piling up at an alarming rate as Abacha prepared to become yet another African 'President for Life.' We were seeing these distinctly odd posters from YEAA (Youths Earnestly Asking Abacha... to become President for Life) when the whole farce was abruptly terminated by his death.

Here and now, some crowd of gun thugs calling themselves MEND are expected to improve the situation in the Niger Delta? Nigerians, ever enterprising have obviously decided to cut out the political middlemen and get their money directly from the oil companies!
My guess is that, bad as things are, they shall go further down before any significant improvement comes. I always did have a gloomy and cynical cast of mind, though. On the other hand, pretty much everything I thought would happen did happen so that betting on things getting better any time soon might not be the way to go.

A really big problem is that the oil majors operate to straight capitalist logic, when they ignore local conditions to the maximum extent possible in the pursuit of returns for their stockholders. It is often so that the black stuff is under real estate owned and run by rather nasty characters who don't even pretend to care about the poor peasants who are forced to live on it.
Shell, for example, is not in the business of providing primary health care, clean water, schooling, infrastructure, etc., etc. Hey, a big chunk of what they earn already goes to the Nigerian government, who are expected to look after their citizens in that way! The politicians are sequestered in Abuja, though, and 'Shell' is on the ground in the Delta. That can come down to the individual expatriate who is now going to carry the can for this long chain of ignorance and misrule. All I can say is, 'Better you than me.'

Two books worth reading for some deep background are 'Heart of Darkness' and 'Things Fall Apart.' 'Soza Boy' and the recent 'Half a Yellow Sun' are both interesting glimpses of some of what went on during the Biafra War. Think of these as a sort of expanded checklist, if you like!

SASless

22nd Feb 2007, 14:09

Sounds to me like the shares of Shell are heading south....price of petrol is going north and Non-Shell Expats are grist to the mill.:uhoh:

MamaPut

22nd Feb 2007, 20:51

anjo,

Are you sure your information is up to date? I know the families aren't coming back as yet, but I thought other expat workers were now being allowed back after today.

The latest information is that the Lebanese man who was kidnapped escaped after guards holding them were bribed with more than $1 million by Bayelsa State officials acting for AGIP. MEND are said to be very angry about this, have threatened other reprisals against AGIP and the State government and said that they will now definitely not release the remaining 2 Italians they're holding before May.

noooby,

Glad you're enjoying your time here. I think you didn't get what NEO was saying. A security consultant who just comes and spends a few days with you on Areta, isn't living with you, just visiting before heaving a sigh of relief and returning to the safety of Intels. Many security consultants in PH seem to prefer living in the Intels camp, Shell, or just visiting from Lagos. Wonder why that is? NEO's also right about the owner not affording the safety that used to be the case as social barriers here are changing. The thugs, murderers and terrorists that we categorise as 'militants' these days have no respect for the old values or the old ways. This was really apparent a few weeks ago when 13 traditional chiefs were murdered near Ekulama. (no, not near Ekulema, the location of the new CHC camp). Personally, I think anywhere in Port Harcourt can have only the illusion of safety, but unless they want to make a point, the militants would be more likely usually to go for soft targets. Most terrorists would attack a soft skinned vehicle rather than a tank, unless they want to demonstrate their capability to destroy a tank. I still believe that maintaining a low profile has merits - you can't normally attack that which you don't know about. The trouble with that is that if you inadvertently come to the attention of the bad guys, you're probably going to get screwed.

NEO,

You make a good point about transport being the weak point and I can see why you'd be concerned. However, I can't imagine most of the pilots I know being prepared to live in Portakabins at the NAF Base until this all blows over. It would be nice if all the oil companies offered accommodation temporarily vacated by the families they've sent home, but that would be impractical given the number of expat contractors working for them. As has been said by other contributors about other things, why don't the likes of Bristow and CHC team up to purchase a decent sized site in a good location and go in for joint security, rather than wasting money on wasteful duplication of security resources? They may be in commercial competition, but they have a joint, vested interest in the security of their staff.

anjouan

23rd Feb 2007, 21:07

MP,

Yes, it seems some of the information I saw was a bit out of date and that some Shell workers were due to return today. to celebrate this the Niger Delta continues its violent slide into almost total anarchy. Today in Port Harcourt another expatriate worker (Lebanese) was shot dead and his companion injured in an ambush on the road to the airport. Two Italians were kidnapped and the Italian foreign ministry has now advised all Italians working in the Niger Delta to evacuate the area.

It would be easy for those just living in supposedly-secure compounds, travelling to work in armed convoys and seeing nothing of what's going on to think that the place is no more dangerous than it ever was, but that would be a mistake. The danger you can't see is far worse than that which you know about. A lot was made of the fact that after a Red Alert was declared, there was no sign of more troops in and around Port Harcourt, but this was because they were deployed out into the riverine areas and the creeks as evidenced by many new fortifications around swamp helipads, with sangars and bunkers having been constructed and some fairly serious automatic weapons now being out there.

One problem is that the President is too busy using the government instutions to coerce his party's opponents in the forthcoming elections. Things are now getting so bad in this respect that the chairman of the influential United Senate Committee on the Nigerian Election, Sen. Ross Finegold, has threatened to withdraw its "financial, moral and material support" for the April elections.

SASless

23rd Feb 2007, 21:10

Oh Dear Me! The illustrious Ross Finegold in a snit? Now they have dunnit!:ugh:

Miragepilote

24th Feb 2007, 16:42

CNN newsman mugged in Jo'burg
24/02/2007 14:51 - (South Africa)
Johannesburg - A journalist from the international television news service, CNN, and his wife were robbed at gunpoint outside the network's offices in Auckland Park in Johannesburg early on Saturday, said CNN.
CNN spokesperson Susanna Flood said from London that CNN Africa correspondent Jeff Koinange and his wife were robbed by four armed young men who took personal items and television equipment from them. Neither was physically harmed.
"CNN's first concern is for the safety of Jeff and his wife and additional security measures have been put in place," said Flood. She said the incident was being investigated by police and CNN. Koinange was not working on an assignment when the robbery took place.
And poor Jeff thought the Niger Delta was dangerous....:=
I laugh in his face!!:hmm:
He's seen nothing yet...hehehehe:p

unstable load

24th Feb 2007, 18:11

So if he was not on assignment what was he doing with TV equipment on him? As a lifelong resident in SA you learn to minimise the signals you put out regarding your worth so that you don't (hopefully) become a target.

Flaunt it and lose it. Seems there are a few parrallels with the Niger delta in good old Joburg! Sorry-oh, Jeff.

Tokunbo

25th Feb 2007, 08:51

As can be seen from many of the threads here, life for most expat pilots in Nigeria now is just one of a lockdown in a secure camp, escorted journey to work and little more. The only compensation for this is the extra allowances paid for coming to this country, which used to be a place where there could at least be some life outside the work environment. Now the fear of being kidnapped hangs over the heads of many expats, like a sword of Damocles, and the only life outside work is that which may be available in their compounds. Some are lucky enough to live in well-equipped compounds with good sporting facilities, bars, good internet and some kind of central messing facility so they don't have to worry about the hazards of going out to shop and the hassle of cooking after a long day at work. Others just live in secure apartment blocks with few facilities other than their rooms. Internet access is becoming an absolute necessity as one of the few ways of keeping in touch with reality. It's also a useful security tool as one can check on websites such as Reuters, AFP and, for most of us out here, Oyibosonline (http://www.oyibosonline.com), where we can find out what's really happening (though many companies frown on this - possibly because they don't want us to know what's really happening here :yuk: ).

Here's one expat's account of how he finds life in Warri (formerly known as the wild, wild, West, but now relatively quite compared to Port Harcourt):

We go to work with a military escort. We come back here with a military escort. It's like being in an open prison," said a British worker in this southern Nigerian oil town.

With violent attacks on oil targets on the rise in Nigeria, expatriate workers throughout the country's south are being told both by their embassies and their employers to adhere to stringent security rules.

In Warri, a former slave-trading post in Delta state, such measures have been in place for the past several years.

"Warri changed in 2004. After the troubles, local people, especially those working for themselves, left the town and relocated. The troubles affected the lifestyle of people here drastically," said a South African who has been working in the Niger Delta for the past several years.

No one interviewed in Warri with any corporate connection would accept to be named or identified in any way.

The "troubles" refer to fighting between the town's three main ethnic groups, the Ijaw, the Urhobo and the Itsekiri, either over land ownership, or simply for dominance.

It was during the troubles that companies evacuated expatriate dependants.

Many of the men here have been working abroad for decades elsewhere in Africa, in the Middle East or further afield.

Some are married to local women but all have "single status" employment contracts.

"There are Lebanese here with their families but no other foreigners", says a local colleague, adding that even he does not want his family in "this troubled place." He prefers them to remain living in Benin City, an hour's drive away.

"We drink because that's all there is to do," said the British worker, surveying the table piled high with empty beer bottles and cans.

His older neighbour is already aimably drunk, slurring the same question for the sixth time.

Two delapidated ceiling fans go lazily round, covered in a thick coat of grime. Black ants with a vicious bite drop from the bamboo ceiling.

The other bar that the men have access to is known as the "Slaughterhouse," in reference to the nights when prostitutes are allowed in.

The men work for several weeks then get leave. The various patterns are "14-four," 14 weeks on followed by four weeks leave, "10-three" or "six-six."

Warri is a nondescript but bustling town with an active port, sprawling markets and metalworking and joiners shops bordering the road.

Once you get to the outskirts of town the tropical swamps and the creeks that are home to the region's armed gangs become visible.

When the talk finally turns from the quantity of alcohol consumed the previous evening, the general consensus is that the security situation in the town has been worse.

And indeed an expatriate without corporate security restrictions can wander through the town unaccompanied without incident.

"When the companies left for Port Harcourt the troubles and the thugs followed them" observed a Scottish man in the group.

Port Harcourt, some 200 kilometres (124 miles) southeast of Warri, is currently Nigeria's oil capital with the highest concentration of company headquarters and expatriate workers.

However the recent spate of kidnappings and a couple of car bomb attacks have meant that most expatriate dependants have now either been evacuated from that town or have chosen to leave.

Since the start of this year alone, 57 foreigners have been seized, nearly as many as in the whole of 2006. Most of them have been released, including 24 Filipino hostages freed earlier this month. The kidnappers are a mixture of separatist groups and criminal gangs, linked by a series of loose and often-changing alliances.

"One can understand the companies' paranoia, but everything is being done to ensure security of lives and property for all," State Government spokesman Sheddy Ozoene told AFP.

MamaPut

25th Feb 2007, 11:16

For those still working in the Niger Delta of Nigeria and those still undecided about whether to go, here's what a number of governments advise their nationals. We all know that sometimes they're a bit out of touch and out of date, but it should make all of us remaining here aware that in the event of problems, consular assistance may be limited:

Australia - Advice:
Riverine area in Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers (also Bonny Island), Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Anambra States in the south-east
Do not travel (http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/advice_meaning.html)
Bakassi Peninsula and Ekiti State
Do not travel (http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/advice_meaning.html)

New Zealand - Advice:
We advise against all travel to the Bakassi Peninsula as well as the riverine areas in Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa.

United Kingdom - Advice:
We advise against all travel to the riverine areas of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States. Riverine areas are generally regarded as being those accessible only by boat. This is because of the high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas.
We advise against all but essential travel to Akwa Ibom State and the rest of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States, including Port Harcourt, because of the high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas. On 18 December 2006, two bombs exploded in Port Harcourt, one in a Shell residential compound and the other at Agip’s headquarters. On 23 January 2007 a British and a US national were taken hostage while driving to work in Port Harcourt.
There is a high risk of further kidnappings by armed militants around the oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta. In nine separate incidents since January 2006, 22 British nationals have kidnapped. One Briton has been killed. Since that time over 150 foreign nationals have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta area. See the Terrorism/Security section of this travel advice for more details.
If you decide to travel to, or remain in, these areas you do so at your own risk. The level of consular assistance we can provide in these areas is limited. If your presence is essential, it would be reckless to travel to, or remain in, these areas unless you have taken appropriate professional security advice and have acted on it.

Canada - Advice:
Against all travel into affected areas and for Canadian nationals to consider leaving.

USA - Advice:
American citizens should depart from and defer non-essential travel to Delta, Bayesa, and Rivers states.

Italy - Advice:
All Italian nationals should leave the country.

archos

25th Feb 2007, 11:25

Some are married to local women but all have "single status" employment contracts.
"We drink because that's all there is to do," said the British LAE, surveying the table piled high with empty beer bottles and cans.
His older neighbour, the night standby pilot, is already aimably drunk, slurring the same question for the sixth time.
Two delapidated ceiling fans go lazily round, covered in a thick coat of grime. Black ants with a vicious bite drop from the bamboo ceiling.
The other bar that the men have access to is known as the "Slaughterhouse," in reference to the nights when prostitutes are allowed in.

...what more can one ask for?

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

25th Feb 2007, 11:41

archos,

Is that a BHNL or CHC night stand by crew ? ;)

The different business models are now plainly obvious in PH; risk averse Bristow pulling all their non essential staff out and suspending all development/investment, make hay while the sun shines CHC bringing in new aircraft to fill the gap and build a new hangar.

Who will succeeed in the long run ? Interesting times :confused:

NEO

etienne t boy

25th Feb 2007, 13:59

So NEO,

Are you there? If you're no more essential what hope is there for Bristow in Nigeria? :}

cavertonmanagement

25th Feb 2007, 14:46

What is all these negative things going on here? We have our Jumbolinos now operating and showing to every company in Port Harcourt how things are done in the Centre of Aviation Excellence. The Jumbolino is showing how things should be done under the guiding hand of daddy and everybody is so very happy to see the Nigerian way of running comoany and showing every good thing for which our country is renowned. From the cabin of the Jumbolino everybody is so enjoying the panoramic view of the beautiful countryside and no sign of any of this nonsence being talked of gun or missile put out by wicked people who wish to make this great nation look so bad.
We can offer employment now to any Jumbolino pilot who is fed up with all this madness of curfew, convoy, clockdown. You will stay in the finest hotels daddy can afford with a good time gauranteed with all the fine allowance we pay each day. No armed man will draw attention to you as you ride to work in the air-condioned comfort of a fine Korean minisine with every such thing as driver and no blue curtain to hide the fine view of the Garden City as you ride to work. No bad man will dare to hurt anyone employed by me and daddy, he will be too much frightened what daddy will do to him. Come and work for our fine company, investing, building new hangar in the gap between Pan African and Arik for the storage of many such things as spare part and for servicings on our Jumbolinos to make sure they are in tip-toppest condition.

SASless

25th Feb 2007, 15:20

Bristow pulling out non-essentials....so much for Pee Wee and the Major I guess!

They will probably set at home on full pay due to the inconvenience.:ugh:

chuks

26th Feb 2007, 08:11

I just returned from a couple of weeks in North Africa.

One of my new colleagues, back at the main base to go on leave, was talking about his time in 'Guantanamo.' When I looked inquisitive he explained that this was an isolated desert camp surrounded by a berm topped with razor wire that you were not allowed to leave under any circumstances, even just to go across the adjacent airstrip, unless you had an armed escort.

Tours are 4 + 4 or 5 + 5, back-to-back, so that the expats (and the locals too) can hack the isolation. They have lots of satellite channels and a telephone, plus, of course, internet access. Food is rated as good. Safety seems to have top priority with each camp having its own (ex-Legion or SAS) advisor living on-site.

I was told that when attacks do occur the attackers are hunted down and killed to the last man. That sounds good to me! Of course they are out there in a very open landscape. It's nothing like just melting into a crowd of people who look just the same as you do.

Even so, it would seem that the bad guys do occasionally manage a classical guerrilla raid, when there are lots of them against not quite so many security forces. Great if you really wanted your name in the papers, not so good if you had made some careful retirement plans.

All in all, much, much better than Nigeria.

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

4th Mar 2007, 20:28

etienne,

You flatter me. Oh yeah. But I won't answer because I would never contradict an expert :ugh: I am just not worthy

Chuks,

From what you write it's nice where you are, many congrats:D I hope the cost of the licence was worth it (I'm pretty sure it was !!).

NEO

chuks

5th Mar 2007, 06:00

It is a case of 'so far, so good,' since I have only got started with my new job. There may be some unpleasant surprises waiting for me; you never know. I wouldn't want to tempt fate by bragging about my luck relative to you guys still in Nigeria.

At least though, you can take this as proof that, yes, there is life outside Nigeria. I think many of us, after years there, lose perspective and imagination and can only think about life and work in that one 'home away from home.' It might be worth taking a chance and trying something different.

I miss the money, of course, but the level of stress in my life has gone way down; these two things seem to balance each other.

MamaPut

8th Mar 2007, 06:39

As the Presidential elections get even closer, MEND has issued a further threat to expatriates working in the Niger Delta:

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has renewed its threats to deal with foreigners found within the region, warning them to leave the area or risk being kidnapped.

According to the militants, who said they were launching an operation code-named ‘Operation Tsunami,’no foreigner would be spared within the geographical area, adding that this is the final warning for foreigners.

A statement from the MEND said: "To all foreign oil companies, leave our land or die in it. There is no need for repetition, because you all know our capabilities."

The statement said foreign oil workers, who had refused to adhere to the warning would be sacrificed to the Egbesu god, adding that, "on the other hand, if you choose not to heed this warning, then get yourselves armed, as you will all be treated as active combatants when we meet at the various points of your thievery of our God gift.

"This operation will be carried out in such a way that all foreigners found within the geographical entity known as the Niger Delta will be whisked away without hesitation. This is our final warning to all the foreign scoundrels, hounding our bounds of bountiful fountains of wealth, to realize that our stealth will ensure that they are sacrificed on the altars of our gods as demanded.

"We will not hesitate for a second to sacrifice all you conspirators to the supreme Egbesu for your glaring rape of our grapes. Today marks the day that we order you thieves for the umpteenth time, to leave our territory or opt for the massacre you are about to be victims of. All foreign nationals found in our territory from henceforth will be treated as agents of the Neo Colonists ever ready to foment trouble and impoverish the blessed people of the Niger Delta," the group stated.
The organization also accused the Federal Government of sponsoring a group of renegades to wage war against it, warning that the move will fail.

We all need to be extra vigilant over the next few weeks. Even if MEND doesn't carry out this threat this time, they seem to be building up to some new atrocity before the election. The sad and outrageous thing is that it's likely that some of the politicians involved in the elections are probably behind it all and financing the whole thing :mad:

unstable load

8th Mar 2007, 11:41

"The sad and outrageous thing is that it's likely that some of the politicians involved in the elections are probably behind it all and financing the whole thing :mad:"

And there, I believe is the crux of the whole problem. If the chieftainship changes drastically then a lot of bunkering experts may well find themselves at best cut off from their supplies or possibly as catfish food.

"This is our final warning to all the foreign scoundrels, hounding our bounds of bountiful fountains of wealth"

Yet it is the very expats who are helping get their supplies out of the ground for them to steal that are being targetted.

GO FIGURE!

Pretty flowery, if archaic, language used. That was always one of the things I enjoyed about the local press. They must have all had Shakespeare's english teacher when they went to school.

SASless

8th Mar 2007, 12:39

Now hang on folks.....MEND specified "scoundrels" as being the target of choice and not just anyone.

Perhaps some covert contact can be made to determine exactly what they accept as being qualified to be described as being a "Scoundrel"....perhaps only a few are intended targets according to their new Rules of Engagement.

Keep an eye out for some pocket sized yellow cards....perhaps dropped by a MEND Storm Trooper during a combat action.

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

8th Mar 2007, 14:51

I can think of a few people who'd better watch their backs.............. But MEND's idea of a scoundrel may be different from mine :uhoh:

NEO

SASless

8th Mar 2007, 16:10

NEO,

You reckon an investment in some Kiwi Camo and native dress would help make you less conspicuous in the crowd?

chuks

9th Mar 2007, 18:13

I don't remember ever meeting a Delta indigene who spoke Cockney, Mockney or whatever that remarkable accent is so that I don't think camouflage is going to help much in his case. Well, only until he should speak up about something or other; this should give him about 30 seconds to do an Escape and Evade number, I reckon.

Or if he were able to keep quiet (a real first) then all the bad guys would have to do is yell, 'Oi! You!' and watch to see who turns around. If that didn't work then 'Hey Bubba!' should do nicely.

I was told once, during a brief return to Miami, that some of my previous customers were under the curious misapprehension that I had been associated in some way with the Drug Enforcement Agency. I took that as my cue to hit the road. Here some of what we read from the masterminds of MEND might hint at a similar option re: working in Nigeria.

In other words, is it worth arguing about such things as the rights and wrongs of oil extraction with someone who chooses violence as an option?

I have a feeling that these people might not enjoy being bested in an full and frank exchange of opinions, just judging from what they have allegedly written so far. When you look at what they do to the English language, just think what they might do to you. It would have to be pretty ugly, just judging by the grammar. In my case they could just tie me to a chair and read some of these news releases to me, after which I should be putty in their hands.

MamaPut

10th Mar 2007, 23:13

Oh Boy,
Caverton is advertising in Flight again, for Twin Otter and AW139 pilots for yet another expansion - how many is that now? Let's see from 1 109 to that plus a Dauphin, then a 350, then another Dauphin, then another 350, then just a 109 and 2 350s, now just 2 350s. Not to mention their hugely successful venture into fixed wing with the Let 410 :} . I expect cavertonmanagement will be back here looking for S92 pilots and 747 pilots again. They must have the largest pilot turnover in relation to their size of any company in Nigeria - wonder why? :ugh: :ugh: :uhoh: :{

Captain Buck

10th Mar 2007, 23:28

I just love the way their website has photos of all the helicopters they don't even operate any more. The pride of the fleet seems to be the A109E, which they sold months ago. Maybe that tells you more about what they're like than anything. Must send in my application as I've got a CPL :}

chuks

11th Mar 2007, 03:14

Now where did I put that green licence, the one from Nigeria with the DHC-6 (Twin Otter) in Part One?

Anyone here able to tell me about pay and conditions? Do they do 6 + 6 and do I get a company car and a luxury flat in Ikoyi?

So this would be to Bonny Airstrip, I suppose. Wait a minute. Isn't that in the Niger Delta? So things are okay there now? Well, what with all I have read about Caverton here I am sure they must be using a top security firm to sort out any possible problems that might arise.

ruma

11th Mar 2007, 06:49

MamaP,
Not 2 350 but down to 1 350, the only serviceable helicopter in their fleet is the latest Blue 350. The 'MTN' Yellow has long been grounded! What do you expect from the 10minutes shuttle flights with more than twenty cycles per day in less than two hours flight time! Roasted Engines! The hangar 'queen'- Red Dauphin, is waiting for Sunny after his recurrency to be flown. Has anyone been to CW of recent? the Southern Airline helicopters have turned to rodent den!:} I hope sunny will not bring the same 'luck' to Caverton at this rate. Since he got there things have gone to worst. I learnt his office has been burgled twice in six month in center of exellence. :D No national helicopter is willing to join Caverton for now as long as the DOO is there. Best of luck to Caverton.

cavertonmanagement

11th Mar 2007, 12:58

Mr Chuks,

You are welcome. You don't mention if you have the 3500 hours P1 on DH6 necessary for all those who are to be welcomed to the Center of Excellence. Please note that we frown on logbook entries in pencil. If you send me your logbook and details of your bank account I will return it to you with a small deduction from your account to cover our administration expenses and postage. This may seem mean, but actually should give you confidence that daddy and I have been to the toppest of universities where strict accounting dissipline is taught. The pay is as you'd expect from a world center of excellence with the foresight to be looking for crews even in advance of our expansion plans and it's expected all Twin Otter pilots will hold themselfs ready for conversion to A380, 744, and similar type to cope with our expanding shuttle operation. We shall soon be adding New york, Nareeta, Hamburg, Glasgow and Algiers to our shuttle destination in addition to Bonny. We have had some trouble with this former communist - I take it you are not a such person and you agree that Bonny is a long, wide, safe destination? Daddy and I went to look at it and can't understand what some of these pilots find to criticise, except if they are part of a global communist conspiracy to destablise our company and our glorious country.

Your luxury flat will be in Ikeja, where we have an establishment of the toppest luxury with such thing as borehole, generator and water in all rooms - but daddy says he will get that lazy plumber to sort that out very soon. There is such a huge salary that you will be amazed every month or so when it is arriving in your account, and the profit sharing means that every Christmas you will receive additional surprise. Of course there is company car and our Kia Rio limousine will take you to and from your work most days. Additionally we are paying $20 a week (or Naira equivalent) towards your domestic staff, transport and feeding arrangements. Daddy says that anyone who needs more than this don't know how to manage his finances properly and have no place in our company. The 6 + 6 is a given, because we are convinced that after 6 months on site you may need that 6 days of rest, despite all the dileights that will so make you want to stay on for longer. Naturally Bonny is in the Delta, but is on an island, so completely removed from all those troubles. Anyway daddy knows all these bad men can never hurt him, so you will be utterly safe. For this reason is no need of wasting money on extra security.

Is a lie, 2 of our Jumbolino were flying simultaneoulsy and at the same time ony some weeks ago. Naturally, being a center of excellence, we have to ensure that our hard working fleet is given some rest sometimes, but never is allowed to be nest of vermin. Jumbolino is only interim helicopter because of production line delay for our fleet of S92, AB139 and EC225. Daddy will soon be resolving all this problems because all the brown envelopes he posted never got there, so soon he will be making more journeys with brown suitcases. We are a modern go-ahed company which will not allow itself to be financially cripled by some of these strange American practise of integrity or whatsoever. No ones office have been burgled - is a lie. Our in house security continually monitor all senior management to make sure nothing is being thiefed from daddy or me and naturally this involves checking through personal and business space of all mamagers. Yet again good accounting practice shows through.

So, put all your worries aside at some of this distortions you see about the World Centre of Excellence and come and join us for this our newest and most successful venture. If you join your success is gauranteed - after all we have even paid money for advertisement in Flight magazine, just like any other top company. So, if you're a Cooperative team players capable of dealing with changing deadlines and priorities, Flexible with changing requirements regarding travel, work location and schedule, supportive of continual safety and quality improvement and Hold a valid passport, come and join the best now.

(Do you by any chance also have a pair of pointy shoes?)

chuks

11th Mar 2007, 18:52

Let's see now, I have done Pan African (four times), Bristow (twice) and Aero (only once) plus a Lebanese gentleman whose name escapes me for about four months until the money stopped coming, so that working for Caverton should round out my sterling career nicely!

I have the hours, as many as you like. 3 500 did you say? Consider it done, squire! You want those IFR, VFR, Night or how?

The shoes, no problem. How pointy would you like? 'Leningrad Cowboys' pointy okay with you?

After Isolo I think Ikeja would do just fine, thanks.

Don't worry about that bank account number; I will fax you the cash for the fees, okay? You have a colour printer, I assume.

Waiting to hear from you 'any time from now.'

Mama Mangrove

11th Mar 2007, 19:22

As the situation in Nigeria seems to be continuing into total anarchy, it's a somber thought that the state which has one of the highest number of expatriate helicopter pilots is renowned for one of the worst instances of corruption and human rights abuses particularly the outrageous attack on a Human Rights Watch campaigner who criticised Rivers State legislators who had suddenly abandoned demands that Rivers State Governor Peter Odili account for the use of funds in the state's US$1.3 billion 2006 budget before submitting the 2007 budget for a vote. (Now I wonder where that could have gone? Let's see, AW139, $13 million; Embraer Legacy, $19 million; Dash 8-200......... :ugh: :yuk: ):

Nigerian authorities should immediately investigate and prosecute those responsible for a violent assault and death threats against a leading anticorruption campaigner in the oil-rich Niger Delta, Human Rights Watch said today.

The assault and threats against Anyakwee Nsirimovu, a human rights activist who is director of the Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (IHRHL) in Port Harcourt, were most likely a reprisal for his outspoken criticism of corrupt state and local government officials in Rivers State, Human Rights Watch said.

On March 4, Nsirimovu was attacked in Port Harcourt while driving home from a meeting. Around 8 p.m., a gang of at least six young men armed with knives, clubs and other weapons attempted to stop his car. When Nsirimovu refused to stop, they attacked his car, smashing the rear windshield and causing other damage to the vehicle. Because the youths allowed numerous other vehicles to pass by without interference, it appeared that Nsirimovu was the objective of their assault. Nsirimovu escaped unharmed.

"The assault and death threats against one of Nigeria's leading human rights campaigners should be investigated immediately," said Peter Takirambudde, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "These attacks threaten free speech on key issues like governance and corruption during the critical pre-election period."

The assault followed a steady stream of at least 10 threatening phone calls to Nsirimovu over the past two weeks. The anonymous callers stated that they "knew what [he] is doing," told him to stop publicizing allegations of corruption against local officials and claimed that the work he has been engaged in is "not safe" for him. He has also received text messages attacking him for publicly denouncing the conduct of local government officials in the state. Minutes after Nsirimovu was attacked on Sunday evening, his wife received a phone call from an unidentified caller who simply stayed on the other end of the line in silence until she hung up.

In 1996, Human Rights Watch honored Anyakwee Nsirimovu at its annual human rights defenders' ceremony for his work in Nigeria.

Nsirimovu had filed reports with the Rivers State Commissioner of Police even before he was assaulted, complaining of the threatening phone calls and text messages he was receiving. He has since filed an additional report documenting the attack he suffered on Sunday night. But so far, police have failed to seriously investigate the matter and have not made any arrests.

"Federal and state authorities need to ensure that the police do not ignore this brazen attack," said Takirambudde.

Human Rights Watch believes these threats were in response to Nsirimovu's outspoken criticism of corruption in the Rivers State government and in the state's Local Government Councils in recent weeks. On February 12, for example, his organization issued a scathing public criticism of Rivers State legislators who had suddenly abandoned demands that Rivers State Governor Peter Odili account for the use of funds in the state's US$1.3 billion 2006 budget before submitting the 2007 budget for a vote.

On January 31, Human Rights Watch released a report on the human rights impact of local government corruption in Rivers State entitled "Chop Fine" (http://hrw.org/reports/2007/nigeria0107/). Nsirimovu, through IHRHL, has been active in promoting public awareness of the problems documented in the report. All of these actions drew considerable ire from state and local officials. They have responded to Human Rights Watch's report by claiming that it was false propaganda and that it was
>allegedly paid for by people the state's Commissioner for Local Government Affairs described as "faceless enemies of the Rivers State government."

Nsirimovu said that the assault and threats against him could lead other civil society groups to become wary of speaking out on the myriad human rights and governance issues facing Rivers State.

"It might get worse as the elections approach because I think the objective is to shut people up," Nsirimovu told Human Rights Watch.

In elections on April 14 and 21, Nigeria will vote for a new president, governors for the 36 states, and legislators at both the national and state levels. Elections in Rivers State in 2003 and 2004 were riddled with widespread fraud, violence and intimidation.

Friends still out there tell me that there has been little or no money spent on healthcare, education, water supply or roads in the last 4 years (maybe one reason the governor wants his expensive aviation toys :yuk: ). I hear that Shell won't even let their staff there travel by road now as the security situation has become so bad.

If any readers of this site know someone who can help this brave man, Anyakwee Nsirimovu get his message across to more of the world, they should try and do so now before he is finally murdered. Democracy has supposedly come to Nigeria, but there has been no noticeable change and for many people their standard of living has actually declined, their personal security is considerably less and there sems no hope for the future. You can see more about what this brave man is up against at:
Human Rights Abuses Rivers State (http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAFR440082007)

I hear a lot of what's going on from friends still there and I read a lot on this site and the internet. It's sad that over here on news stations such as Sky, deaths and kidnappings in Nigeria are normally less important than what clothes the Prime Minister's wife is wearing or the cash for honours scandal. Stay cool and keep safe boys and girls; no amount of money is worth dying for.

Phone Wind

11th Mar 2007, 22:48

Caverton......... the words barge pole and wouldn't touch with, come to mind. But I guess the world's full of the desperate, the optimistic and the foolish :hmm:

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

12th Mar 2007, 08:34

Chuks/Sas,

I can think of all manner of suitable responses to your posts but on this occasion (only) I'll rise above a tit for tat rebuff :oh:

The scoundrels I'm thinking of are known to you both, although for different reasons; I would class them as the "usual suspects".

Interview today with A.N. Other firm, fingers crossed I'll be posting on another forum before long !! :ok:

NEO

SASless

12th Mar 2007, 13:24

NEO,

I sure hope you change primary posting forums....but hope you will continue to visit here and add your commentary as you distance yourself from the usual suspects.

There is life after your current employment.

chuks

12th Mar 2007, 14:23

So who is supposed to turn off the generator as the last expat out? I thought that was Neo! Or is this the end?

SASless

12th Mar 2007, 14:29

Chuks,
What is the definition of "Last Expat" ? :uhoh:

I believe a discussion of "limits" as used in the study of Math (s) applies here.

A limit being defined loosely as a value which one can approach but cannot achieve applies here.

If one dons Native dress, marries a Nigerian, raises one's children in Nigeria, takes the employ of a Nigerian firm, has a Nigerian drivers license, a Nigerian Flying License, holds country club membership in Nigeria, and as some have assumed a leadership role in a village.....when does one become a "Nigerian"?:E

unstable load

12th Mar 2007, 21:00

OK SASless,

Then having become "Nigerian" by default or definition would he be expected to relinquish his right to the title of Expat or will we be nice to him and allow him this small honour?:}

chuks

12th Mar 2007, 21:16

I know of at least one guy who got a take-it-or-leave-it offer of a contract on local terms, since he had a local passport in addition to the one he arrived with.

I will let the rest of you guess whether he was better off that way or as an expat.

One problem, I think, is that as much as you might love the country (God help you!) you will never be anything but an Oyingbo there when push comes to shove. Call that belonging to the wrong tribe if you like; it's nothing they don't do to their own. I once had a co-pilot tell me that, as a Yoruba, he was not able to take a night-stop in Kano. I thought that one over and then we flew back to Lagos, because we couldn't guarantee his safety in his own country.

The only possible exception I can think of is that dotty old dear who is a priestess in a sacred grove up Ibadan way, but who wants to get in that deep?

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

12th Mar 2007, 21:32

Aah, rumours, I love them !! Chuks was the Master of that department. So people have children in Nigeria, wear the kit etc, have two passports and (like most "expats"), have a driving licence ? Love this site, even if I leave Nigeria I'll still come back here for the crack !!

Thanks Sas and Chuks, you two should take Holy Orders, I hope I never end up Holier than thou when I'm you're age (which is a good few years yet) :ok: Like you were until you "left", I'm glad of the job while I have it.

Now you have a REALLY nice day, y'hear ?? :D

NEO

SASless

12th Mar 2007, 21:45

Since my last divorce I no longer have to take "Holy Orders" nor do I have to react to the beckoning finger which somehow seems a blessing. :E

chuks

13th Mar 2007, 08:23

I got 'retired!' I freely admit that I would still be there, moaning away, but for the strange workings of fate. Don't think that I am making myself out to be cleverer than anyone still there in what I write here. One part of me, the sensible part, thinks, 'Good to be gone,' while the silly part keeps thinking about getting an offer to go back.

Starting with turning down an offer to become a Catholic altar boy and ending, pretty much, with rather perversely going into aviation instead of commercial real estate with my extended family I have been fleeing holiness all my life. I had to go all the way to Nigeria to hang with the expats found there to be holier than just about anything. You can find dogs that are holier than me!

Anyone who wants to get deeply involved with modern Nigeria, well, that's very romantic (in the larger sense of that word, where you seek to realise your vision with something external to you).

Think of T. E. Lawrence flouncing around in his Bedouin robes: that's the sort of romantic I mean. He was okay until he fell in love with motorcycles; if he had stuck to camels he would have been okay.

To take on Nigeria with all its problems just seems like trying to eat your way through 20 kilos of 'suya' at one sitting. But that's just being practical, which is boringly unromantic. To end up the guardian of a sacred grove, well, it probably beats tending your petunias in some German garden allotment.

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

16th Mar 2007, 07:58

Nigerian media are reprting the release of the the two Italian hostages after 98 days. Good news :ok:

NEO

doddle

16th Mar 2007, 08:19

Yep, it just keeps getting better.
Replacing S76s with N3, I don't think so..not this year anyway.
Deepest Darkest Bata..secrets and all?:mad:

gritandmud

18th Mar 2007, 12:04

Nigerian media are reprting the release of the the two Italian hostages after 98 days.

98 days!!!!!!

Glad to hear it.

unstable load

18th Mar 2007, 14:37

Great News!!!:D :D

froggy_pilot

21st Mar 2007, 23:41

The bad news is: Two NIgerian newspapers report two Asians and one Nigerian kidnapped in Anambra state on Saturday.

Two foreigners, one Nigerian kidnapped in Anambra
Three persons have been kidnapped in Anambra State in circumstances that remain unclear.

Two of the victims were believed to be Asians, but an account said they were Koreans while another said they were Chinese.
Their names could not be established as at 5pm on Sunday when our correspondent filed this report.

The name of the third victim, a Nigerian, was however, given as Mr. Sylvester Uluigwe.

Investigations by our correspondent showed that they were kidnapped in Nnewi, the second largest commercial town in the state, on Saturday.
The identity of the kidnappers could not be established either.

Our correspondent gathered that the Asians were members of a team of about 40 expatriates an Nnewi-based industrialist brought into the town a few days ago to help him build a vehicle assembly plant.

The kidnapping reportedly took place at the site of the factory.
It was the second high profile kidnapping to have taken place in Nnewi in less than 60 days.

From http://www.oyibosonline.com the best information online about what's going on in Nigeria, thanks to chief :D

unstable load

21st Mar 2007, 23:50

You just have to love them.....

Here is a guy trying to improve the job situation for the area by opening a plant where presumably a lot of local people could work and what happens?

Some CRETIN gets the idea that kidnapping a few Oyibo's who oddly eneough have a very tenuous link at best to the oil industry is a great plan, thus possibly/probably ending that venture before it even starts. Unless of course the "industrialist" was behind it in the first place to present himself as the saviour to the no doubt extremely relieved victims who will shower him in their benevolence......... NAH, I doubt it.

MamaPut

25th Mar 2007, 13:33

After a period of relative quiet, things in Port Harcourt have started to hot up again. A few days ago a well co-ordinated attack was carried out on the camp of German construction company Bilfinger Berger. Although it's reported that the MOPOL ran away (as usual :\ ) the Joint Task Force troops there helped to stave off the attack. It also helped that BB have strong additional security measures in place (which I won't discuss here). The gunfight is reported to have lasted for 3 hours and sadly, the militants managed to capture the company's Dutch security manager, who is still being held hostage.

I see that the governor of Rivers State has suddenly started to use his AW139 as the election date drwas closer. I wonder if the people in the villages he visits, with lousy roads, schools, hospitals stop to wonder how nuch could have been done for their communities with the millions of dollars wasted on this symbol of extravagance? :mad: :mad:

There are more and more fixed wing operations into the NAF Base Port Harcourt and with the abysmal level of ATC there, most pilots have to take a lot of extra fuel in case of delays. As FW are always given priority it's not uncommon for a FW to declare himself to be on right base as he passes overhead the POT VOR and helicopters then to be kept waiting the 6 or 7 minutes until it's landed :mad: . The so-called controllers there are often completely incapable of handling more than one movement every 4 or 5 minutes :mad: . Things are getting even worse as the April elections approach and every day there are more aircraft (many of them South African registered) on the VIP parking on the military side of the NAF Base. Many of them have the People's Democratic Party (PDP) logo on the tail. I guess the SA registered ones have something to do with the fact that the governor seems to have found plenty of money to open clinics in South Africa - maybe he's discussing his retirement plan :E ?

The Italian construction magnate, Gito (owner of the red Bell 407 5N-BIC), has also started clearance work on a large area at the NAF Base. It's rumoured that he's bringing in an EC155, A109E and possibly an EC135.

There seems to be some considerable delay in the arrival of CHCs next AW139, despite the crew having been in Italy for quite some time now. I hear rumours of delivery delays and crewing problems. Bristow are rumoured to be bringing in a couple of S76C++s for Chevron, to be based in Escravos, though how they'll crew them when they can't even crew their existing S76 fleet remains to be seen. Both companies still seem to be having problems getting enough pilots, particularly in Port Harcourt, despite a pay rise last year. maybe they need to think about paying more money for crews who are willing to go to Port Harcourt? A number of oil and oil-service companies are now paying bonuses as high as 80% for staff who are willing to work in Port Harcourt as it's deemed to be a dangerous place and secure housing is often situated a long distance from the workplace, with a long, dangerous road journey. At NAF Base now, there must be close to 20 - 30 armed escort vehicles every day waiting to escort their expatriate convoys around to their safe housing, where staff are confined by long curfews every day. In the midst of all this CHC are pissing people off by trying to make them work 44 days on site instead of 42 and Bristow have still not paid most people their promised workover pay :ugh:

The elections (if they even happen) are due in 3 weeks and will be the first time in Nigeria that there has been a handover of power from one democratically elected government to another (if that's what's really happening :suspect: ). There will doubtless be widespread intimidation, violence and vote rigging, particularly in the Delta areas, especially as the EU has announced that it's too dangerous for their election observers to visit Bayelsa, Delta or Rivers states (probably just that there aren't enough 5 star hotels or champagne for them :yuk: ). Now's a good time to be going out on time-off :}

twisted wrench

25th Mar 2007, 19:10

Mama Put

Now you told us all the good news what is the bad news??

tropicopter

25th Mar 2007, 21:12

twisted wrench,

How about you add some of your own if you have any comment to make?

Flying Touareg

26th Mar 2007, 01:30

''..........Meanwhile, the State Security Services (SSS) in Port Harcourt has cracked the hostage taking ring in the city as they arrested and paraded two men, Ekene Ibebuka (21) and Nnamdi Eme (42) while declaring their alleged sponsor and former gubernatorial aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Clark Igodo wanted with N5 million price on his head.
According to the SSS, also declared wanted is one Famous, the Chief Security Adviser to Saipem who gave insider information to hostage takers on potential hostages in the company as well as all the people the duo named as their accomplices in the hostage taking and armed robbery.
Parading the self confessed hostage takers, the State Director of SSS, Alhaji Kola Adesina, said they spread their dragnet which caught the duo while about 13 of their colleagues were still at large and therefore wanted for immediate arrest and prosecution.
Ibebuka, according to the SSS boss, confessed to being a member of the Puper III group under the Degbam cult group led by one Ninger in addition to admitting being a member of the 15 hostage takers who abducted an American and a Briton at Rumuolumeni.
He said the boy confessed that one China who brought him into the deal led the attack while the said Prince Igodo allegedly supplied them with arms and ammunitions used for the operation.
“The suspect was given N2.4 million as his own share from the ransom paid to secure the release of the hostages. He used part of it to purchase one Mercedes Benz 190 padded car and reclaimed his father’s land that was leased out by his father in Umozu, Nwangele LGA Imo State.
"Ibebuka gave the names of others who participated in the operations with him but now on the run as Ammoni, Tonye, Tomi, Nkem (all cocaine dealers in Abonema Wharf) Imo, Belema, Asibike, Anekan (Drug dealers and armed robbers), Adesina said."
Ibebuka was said to have confessed to armed robbery in various parts of Port Harcourt where sums of money were stolen. They include robbery on Ikwerre road early in 2006 where a man was robbed of N250, 000.00; robbery at Rumuokuta in December 2005 where they robbed their victim of N90, 000.00; robbery at East/West road in 2006 where they stole N170, 000.00 and robbery at SBS Bus stop, Rumuokuta where a woman was robbed of N20, 000.00 and two handsets.
His accomplice Eme alias Jackson, a 2005 graduate of Mass Communication from Rivers State University of Science and Technology from Okpolu, Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State claimed to have been a loyalist of Asari Dokubo.
He is also the head of the Igodo hostage taking group along Rumuolumeni/Iwofe and Ogbogoro axis in the State.
He claimed to have been contemporaries with Prince Igodo and both were known as titans and later, the arrowheads of Degbam cult group in Rivers State.
He confessed having led the Degbam attack on Dewell at Rumuche where five persons were killed.
Eme also told the SSS that he led the group that abducted one Blessing Orlu (AKA Young Chief) who has not been seen since then not been seen, adding that he is also a member of the Kuklus Klan Konfraternity (KKK).
On the abduction of two expatriates, he fingered Prince Igodo as the leader of the group and one that provided the arms and ammunitions used in the operations, adding that Igodo later kept the hostages somewhere in Tombia for 11 days before their release.
He listed those who participated in the abduction as Dube, Daddy Johnson, Escapee, Ibinima (AKA IB), China , Master, Harvest, Toochi Chukwu, Jamin, Adisa, Daddy and KK.
Eme said the money paid by the wife of the Briton whose health was bad for the release was shared on prorate basis among the hostage takers recruited from different communities where participants from Buguma got N17 million; Ogbakiri and Akpor N14 million; Tombia N17 million while he got N2.5 million.
He confessed to using N1.3 million to purchase a Toyota Camry Salon car before participating in the kidnap of another expatriate and his driver at Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt in January 2007 with eight other accomplices.
He gave the names of those who participated in the second kidnap as Daddy Johnson, Dube Lucky, Ibima (IB), Monday, Dady, Famous (Security Adviser to Saipem), Nnamdi and Emma known as “Founder”.
He confessed to collecting N500,000.00 from the N20 million ransom paid while in another abduction of three expatriates in a hotel in Port Harcourt in January 2007, he got N2 million.
He confessed to have been present at meetings in Elegwo in Tombia which later turned to the discussion center of hostage taking issues and at one of such meetings; they decided to purchase 10 AK47 rifles for N300, 000.00 each.
He named Ogwechi Amadi, Nwamoje, Nmalem Amadi, Boss and Attraki as those who participated in the Eagle Cement axis where they were on a reprisal attack over the rape of a lady related to their leader.
When THISDAY asked both of them what led them into the hostage taking business, they both replied that it was due to cash crunch as their businesses were not doing well.
Particularly, Emeh confessed that, “my involvement in hostage taking is not because of furthering the Niger Delta cause; I did it to help my self as my supply business was not doing well”.
They said if they could be left off the hook, they will campaign for other youths to leave the business but appealed for forgiveness as they have realised that it was a bad thing to do.''

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=73897

SASless

26th Mar 2007, 12:18

He used part of it to purchase one Mercedes Benz 190 padded car

Does this mean he drives "crazy"?

etienne t boy

26th Mar 2007, 17:30

SAS,

It's a bit like a paded bra if you like. It's those old Mercedes which have a broad band of plastic trim (about bumper - or fender for our transatlantic cousins - width) which runs around the car on the bottom of the doors. Mercedes with this particular trim are known as 'padded'. There are also, of course, flat boot and V boot models ;)

chuks

26th Mar 2007, 17:47

I had been wondering about that one, myself. Now I know the one you are referring to.

I remember one time a local colleague was talking about someone we knew who had just bought 'a veeboo.' I finally had to interrupt to ask what in the world that was, when he just gave me a look as if to ask where I had been locked away. It means the old E-series Mercedes, where the boot lid comes down at an angle on both sides at the back, so 'vee-boot.'

The funniest one of all, I think, is to call the little motorcycle taxis 'Okadas,' after the late airline. We had a colleague who was notoriously cheap but when he was spotted sending his second-best, local girlfriend home on an Okada rather than in, at least, a Peugeot 504, well, his cred went to zero!

etienne t boy

26th Mar 2007, 20:38

Chuks,

Yes, I can just imagine that. The remnants of Chief Igbenidion's airline can still be seen, blackened with mould at Benin airport. The Esama of Bini Kingdom and founder of Okada Airlines was one of the richest men in Nigeria. His business empire included Okada Air (now moribund), a bank (now distressed), a private boarding school, hospital, car dealership, and an international trading firm. A very flamboyant man, Gabriel Igbinedion, started experiencing a decline in fortunes and was reputed to have been heavily in debt to the tune of billions of naira. However, this trend took a different turn after his first son, Lucky, became the Governor of Edo State.

Don't forget also in Lagos those little 3 wheeler motor scooters, first built by Vespa (or Piaggio?) in Italy, then manufactured in India and finally being built here in Ikeja as the result of an incentive by former Lagos State Military Administrator, Brig-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa and now known as 'Marwas'. They still cut a dash through the Ikeja traffic and offer a bit more protection from the elements than an Okada.

chuks

27th Mar 2007, 08:12

Oh, God! Yes, we had those three-wheelers in Viet Nam as well, where they were known as 'dong carts' (after the local currency, the 'dong').

I remember one day in the rainy season watching a local blatting along in Lagos traffic in his three-wheeler, working its wonky little windscreen wiper with his left hand while steering with his right. It really didn't look very safe, even by local terms.

I guess it's one more marker of the decline of Nigeria, in that when I got there in the early Eighties one expected to use a Peugeot 504 as a taxi. The idea of an Okada or a Marwa had not yet surfaced; people were still waiting for the boom years of the Seventies to return.

Remember the Lagos Metro scheme, how that one would come and go, until it finally went? There is something similar in the middle of Palermo, Sicily, with a long line of huge, round concrete pillar bases marching through the middle of town, the only remnant of an elevated light railway that collapsed due to (wait for it!) bribery and corruption.

Then there would be the occasional shipments of red buses to mark the complete rejuvenation of Lagos public transport. That would last about six months until you saw all these rolling wrecks, missing lights, windows and most anything else not absolutely necessary for forward motion. The horn always worked, though!

I suppose some have now been scrapped but when Okada was still going many Nigerian airports had at least one wrecked BAC-1-11, always with the nose gear wiped out. The odd thing was that they never even bothered to paint out the airline name on the wreck. What, was it free advertising or something?

Nigerian Expat Outlaw

29th Mar 2007, 20:49

Hey Chuks,

Am I the only one who's noticed how your posts are showing a trend towards increasingly criticising Nigeria ?

Lest we forget, following the shooting of the bus which you've brought up a lot of times since you left, you kept coming back for another, what, 5 years or so until you were, as you put it, "retired".:p And took the money like the rest of us.

By the way, your Teutonic ex colleague (the architect of your demise), has himself moved on to pastures new, in the Antipodean region I hear.

Enjoy the Algerian desert and watch out for the gangs of renegade camels :ok:

NEO

chuks

30th Mar 2007, 06:30

Anyone else here old enough to remember 'The Fatal Glass of Beer'? It's an old W. C. Fields sketch. At the climax the prodigal son piously tells his parents, 'I took that tainted money and threw it in the river!' at which they throw his loser ass out in the snow. Me, I took that tainted money and kept it, every kobo. SASless uses his to torment innocent fish. You, I suppose, have founded an orphanage?

I noticed with pleasure that many of my colleagues used theirs to give aid and comfort to wayward women, a rather pleasant form of charity. 'Well, yes, I do give (Blessing, Charity, Patience, Prudence... insert name here) money but that is just for her family. She luurves me!' Ah! So nothing to do with her fulfilling your fantasies then.

You mean that I switched at some point from saying things were just fine in Nigeria (aside from whining about almost being shot on the way to work) to complaining about the place? I like the people but that is about it; pretty much anything to do with the government is in a real state and I thought that was always my position. Should I put a positive spin on the idea of people being reduced to buzzing around in lousy little three-wheelers where they could once afford beat-up Peugeot 504s? If I could do that I would have been a manager instead of just a driver.

It takes a sunny disposition to think kidnap victims being released, without the criminals being brought to justice, is a good thing. The Nigerian system is just not very, ah, 'systematic,' is it? You get the odd guy serious about reform but it's mostly a country being ruled by a criminal elite, a 'kleptocracy.'

As to my esteemed German colleague there, did a position for an Experimental Test Pilot come open on a kangaroo ranch or did he simply wear out his welcome? This time of year in Germany is especially stressful for his sort of guy; the crows are becoming active and they just love to crap on Porsches, when their excrement damages the paint. If he were a tiny bit smarter he might imagine that to be one birdman's greetings to another; as it is he just worries about where to park.

JimL

30th Mar 2007, 07:34

I continue to be heartened by the quality of the writing on this thread.

As one who spent some time in Port Harcourt in the early days (flying the Bell 206 and S55T) I remain interested. The fact that this thread also attracts the better of the posters appears to indicate that intelligence and gambling are not mutually exclusive.

Jim

Phone Wind

1st Apr 2007, 22:23

In an attack on the rig Bulford Dolphin by militants 3 people were kidnapped, including one expatriate. The Bulford dolphin was attacked in June last year and extra security measures were put in place, but it seems the militants took control of a supply boat and used that to gain access to the rig. As the elections grow closer the danger to expatriates increases. Doubtless there will be calls for helicopters to be sent to villages carrying Presidential candidates or their supporters, but if the managements of aero and Bristow have any sense of responsibility for their expat employees they will not allow flights to any 'bush' locations.
Sadly, Nigeria has been subverted by its riches. According to a report in a recent issue of National Geographic, in a recent United Nations report, Africa's most populous nation has gone from being self-sufficient in food to having an import debt and even has to import the bulk of its fuel because its refineries are nearly always broken down. According to that UN report in terms of quality of life, Nigeria rates below all other major oil nations, from Libya to Indonesia. Its annual per capita income of $1,400 is less than that of Senegal which exports mainly fish and ground-nuts. Naturally the financially and morally bankrupt government tries to shift the blame for this from itself to the oil majors. Whilst they are undoubtedly complicit with the governments, both military and civil, for the state of the country, the major blame rests with the government itself as it receives the income from the oil and then steals it :mad: . If anyone believes that the government will come to their aid and help them if they work there as an expatriate and subsequently fall in harms way, they are living in a dream world. the government of Nigeria and the oil companies operating there don't give a tuppeny damn about the expatriates who help make all the profits for them to steal. They will only care if their share of the plunder is reduced. So, if you're working in Nigeria, make sure that your company has a clearly laid out policy, on paper, of its duty of care to you. If not, you have no real security at all. In the present situation, whilst our professional lives may be safety driven, our personal lives (on site) should be security driven and excuses of cost should not be accepted as they are a minor part of the overall cost of operating in Nigeria :mad: .