What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
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Kidnapping Here to Stay
An influential leader in the Delta, Mr Ledum Mitee, leader of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, says that kidnapping has come to stay in the Niger Delta:
The US diplomatic mission has also issued a statement saying that it has received reports of a possible attack in Lagos:
The leader of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Mr Ledum Mitee, who, in 1995 narrowly escaped being hanged alongside the famous Ogoni Nine has said that kidnaping, hostage taking and other related crimes may not stop in the Niger Delta.
Mitee was arraigned before a military tribunal together with the outspoken activist and writer, the late Ken Saro Wiwa and eight others in 1995 by the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha, over their alleged culpability in the killing of four traditional rulers in Ogoni land, but he was released thereafter.
He took over the reins of the organisation after its leader, Saro Wiwa was convicted by the military tribunal, thereby making MOSOP one of the leading and outspoken critics of the Abacha government in the Niger Delta region.
The MOSOP leader said in Kaduna at the weekend that kidnapping and hostage taking in the Niger Delta region, just like armed robbery in all parts of the country, has come to stay.
He made the observation in a lecture entitled “The Niger-Delta: A Vision for Nigeria's Economic Development” he delivered at the Fifth All Nigerian Editors Conference.
He said that kidnapping and hostage taking had become a “blossoming venture'' where huge money is realised by its perpetrators.
Mitee was arraigned before a military tribunal together with the outspoken activist and writer, the late Ken Saro Wiwa and eight others in 1995 by the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha, over their alleged culpability in the killing of four traditional rulers in Ogoni land, but he was released thereafter.
He took over the reins of the organisation after its leader, Saro Wiwa was convicted by the military tribunal, thereby making MOSOP one of the leading and outspoken critics of the Abacha government in the Niger Delta region.
The MOSOP leader said in Kaduna at the weekend that kidnapping and hostage taking in the Niger Delta region, just like armed robbery in all parts of the country, has come to stay.
He made the observation in a lecture entitled “The Niger-Delta: A Vision for Nigeria's Economic Development” he delivered at the Fifth All Nigerian Editors Conference.
He said that kidnapping and hostage taking had become a “blossoming venture'' where huge money is realised by its perpetrators.
The U.S. diplomatic mission in Nigeria said Sunday it had received reports of plans for a possible attack against its consulate in the southern city of Lagos.
Officials said in a circular sent to U.S. citizens that Nigerian police had increased their vigilance around the consulate and were closely monitoring traffic nearby. The mission called on U.S. citizens to report any suspicious activity there.
Officials said in a circular sent to U.S. citizens that Nigerian police had increased their vigilance around the consulate and were closely monitoring traffic nearby. The mission called on U.S. citizens to report any suspicious activity there.
One does not have to be a rocket scientist to understand that criminal acts such as robbery, burgalry, murder, and kidnapping will be a way of life in any improverished nation.
Whether it is politically motivated or simply a criminal commercial venture.....if you are in such a place as Nigeria you are a target. That is why you get the huge sums of money, armed escorts, and armored limousines for transport to your work place from your armed guarded and barbed wire fenced gated compounds.
So what is "new" in West Africa?
Whether it is politically motivated or simply a criminal commercial venture.....if you are in such a place as Nigeria you are a target. That is why you get the huge sums of money, armed escorts, and armored limousines for transport to your work place from your armed guarded and barbed wire fenced gated compounds.
So what is "new" in West Africa?
Nigerian In Law
Lonely ?
Mama,
I agree, but perhaps that is because everyone has much more time to sit down and talk, do group hugs etc and make up ?
I hear the NAF Base ramp is getting emptier and that a 139 has been "parked" at the rear of the hangar for quite some time ?
If the flying is less, the time to conspire is more
NEO
I agree, but perhaps that is because everyone has much more time to sit down and talk, do group hugs etc and make up ?
I hear the NAF Base ramp is getting emptier and that a 139 has been "parked" at the rear of the hangar for quite some time ?
If the flying is less, the time to conspire is more
NEO
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CHC Leaving Angola
CHC has made a real mess of its excursion into Nigeria, totally messing up what Schreiner had. The helicopter in Cameroon has been finished and now the news that they're to be out of Angola by the end of the year . What on earth is happening to the company? In the last 2 years, apart from Thailand it seems as if it's two setbacks after another. Maybe it just grew too big and suffered from bad management latterly. What's the likelihood of it being broken up and sold off piecemeal?
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Phone Wind,
The Angola situation is not to do with anything CHC has done. Sonair has over the years told the operator (Court in those days) to leave at least twice to my knowledge and after a year or so they had got back into the country.
This time it may be permanent, though because Sonair has got themselves geared up with modern equipment and are hiring the guys they will need to keep it going for them.
I had heard of rumours that one of the CHC ships had been extended past the deadline, but that is only rumour till proven. I also heard that BP had objected to Sonair appointing themselves as the operator of the BP contract and they had been told to "take it or leave it" by Sonair. Strictly rumours, though.
The Angola situation is not to do with anything CHC has done. Sonair has over the years told the operator (Court in those days) to leave at least twice to my knowledge and after a year or so they had got back into the country.
This time it may be permanent, though because Sonair has got themselves geared up with modern equipment and are hiring the guys they will need to keep it going for them.
I had heard of rumours that one of the CHC ships had been extended past the deadline, but that is only rumour till proven. I also heard that BP had objected to Sonair appointing themselves as the operator of the BP contract and they had been told to "take it or leave it" by Sonair. Strictly rumours, though.
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Bristow pilots
sorry to get off track, the last few pages seem to be about CHC, and I'm not reading the previous 176 pages...
I'm thinking about applying to Bristow Nigeria. Can any current, and objective, employees give me the run down on what life is like there for pilots. Condition of bases, aircraft, flying, travel, etc...
I'm thinking about applying to Bristow Nigeria. Can any current, and objective, employees give me the run down on what life is like there for pilots. Condition of bases, aircraft, flying, travel, etc...
I'm not reading the previous 176 pages...
212man,
ARH seems a perfect fit for Nigeria.....reckon he would last a full shift before bagging it?
Heck....I see management material in the making!
ARH seems a perfect fit for Nigeria.....reckon he would last a full shift before bagging it?
Heck....I see management material in the making!
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Bristows SAR project Nigeria
Does anyone have any info as to whats going one with the SAR operation for Shell with the S-92s. I take it its on permanent hold?
Regards to all....
Regards to all....
I Try To Be Good !!
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Bad Vibes
Pessimistic noises at Addax. One 412 to be dropped and all rigs gone before July. People are worried about their jobs. Addax has been the over 60 pilot playground until now. Not many places for them to go.
Mama,
Hiring freeze at Bristow confirmed.
Mama,
Hiring freeze at Bristow confirmed.
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Addax Petroleum Announces Significant New Discovery in Nigeria
Exploration success with Njaba discovery in onshore OML124 license area
Calgary, Alberta, January 28th, 2009 – Addax Petroleum Corporation (“Addax Petroleum” or the “Corporation”) (TSX:AXC and LSE:AXC) today announces a significant onshore oil discovery from the Njaba 2 well (formally Okaka) currently drilling in the eastern part of the OML124 license area in Nigeria. Addax Petroleum has a 100 per cent working interest under a Production Sharing Contract covering the OML124 license area, whereby the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation is the concessionaire. Addax Petroleum currently produces approximately six thousand barrels per day from the Ossu and Izombe fields in OML124, which is located within the stable and peaceful Imo State.
Commenting, Jean Claude Gandur, President and Chief Executive Officer of Addax Petroleum said: “I am extremely proud to report an excellent start to 2009 with this successful exploration result in Nigeria as it is a leading discovery that has the potential to be one of our largest fields in Nigeria. The Njaba discovery is the first exploration well to be drilled in OML124 since the mid-80’s and these results will increase the production potential of the license area considerably, as well as significantly upgrade the remaining undrilled prospects. This onshore discovery is a further example of Addax Petroleum’s commitment to development in Nigeria. In addition, this recent success represents yet another highlight for our highly prolific Nigerian operations as it will strengthen our record of growth in Nigeria and it underpins our robust and consistent operational performance.”
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Addax is taking an AS332L and at least one 412 will be available for spot charters. Bristow also has at least 2 more 76C++s destined for Nigeria.
jonny,
Shell was just part of a consortium led by Chevron to get the second S92 for SAR. I'm told that the low oil price/world recession have led to Chevron's partners pulling back and the project has been shelved for now - yet again Nigeria is yo remain in the dark ages for the sake of 35 million $$$
jonny,
Shell was just part of a consortium led by Chevron to get the second S92 for SAR. I'm told that the low oil price/world recession have led to Chevron's partners pulling back and the project has been shelved for now - yet again Nigeria is yo remain in the dark ages for the sake of 35 million $$$
Perhaps someone can convince the East and West Division Shell Managers to donate part of their stolen oil proceeds to cover the shortfall as a humanitarian gesture and tax deduction on their income taxes?
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Sorry to hear of "Mumbles" leaving us....shared a few pints with him in Warri.
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One British Hostage Released
Robin Hughes, one of two British hostages held captive for more than 7 months by MEND was released on Sunday citing health reasons, but they have said that a second hostage Matthew McGuire will be held indefinitely:
A 45 year old Canadian woman visiting Nigeria as part of an exchange programme for Rotary International, was kidnapped in Kaduna last week. In an interview with journalists a police spokesman made a statement which sums up the whole reason policing and security are so screwed up in this country
Just imagine if a visitor to USA or North America had been kidnapped and a police spokesman came out with a statement like that. It would be greeted with outrage, but in NIgeria nobody thinks it anything other than normal
Still, if the tanker driver's strike in Lagos goes on much longer and the fuel shortage affects the entire country, at least it may affect the kidnappers and armed robbers' ability to go out and committing their crimes
“The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) can confirm that the British hostage, Mr. Robin Barry Hughes regained his freedom about 1730Hrs today, Sunday April 19, 2009 after he was handed over to contacts who in turn handed him over to his employers. We did not hand him over to the military who might want to take some credit as they are considered our enemy and has not played any role in this transaction. The credit for this release goes to Henry Okah who requested that Robin be released on compassionate ground. Henry’s message was delivered through a reliable source who we have no reason to doubt. The remaining hostage, Mr Macguire will remain in our custody until further notice. We need to reiterate once again that no ransom was requested or received for this release even though we were asked to name our price by the Minister of State for the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsay Orubebe. MEND wonders why the government and military have not yet blamed the recent spate of commercial kidnappings in other parts of Nigeria on Niger Delta militants who they falsely accuse for those carried out in the region just to give our legitimate struggle a bad name.” Jomo Gbomo
a police spokesman had said that the organisation had been irresponsible in housing the visitors in private residences instead of more secure hotel facilities. They also said that proper notification of the visit should have been given to security forces.
Still, if the tanker driver's strike in Lagos goes on much longer and the fuel shortage affects the entire country, at least it may affect the kidnappers and armed robbers' ability to go out and committing their crimes
I Try To Be Good !!
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A Ryanair Copy ?
So there I am propping up the bar (along with all the other proppers) and this guy tells me ACN are planning to leave the offshore helicopter business and concentrate on the regional airline side
No Dash 8s, no rotary wing just a load of 737s flying all over West Africa. Anyone else heard this ? Sounds outrageous. Or is the CHC divorce going that badly ?
No Dash 8s, no rotary wing just a load of 737s flying all over West Africa. Anyone else heard this ? Sounds outrageous. Or is the CHC divorce going that badly ?