What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Trogs dear boy....
The Redhill Travel Department post Vivian must have been relocated to Houston from your complaint!
The Black Sardine could never understand why I objected to being routed to Dallas when traveling to North Carolina.....a short three hour flight beyond my destination with routing via Atlanta to get to the International Airport served by direct flights from London and Frankfurt.
What was even more amazing was I could buy "Y" tickets cheaper than Bristow was paying for their no change...no refund...non exchangeable tickets....and they would not agree to a reimbursement agreement where I bought the tickets and they could save money.
Must have interfered with the old "Bristow Management Fiddle" so well known in those times.
The Redhill Travel Department post Vivian must have been relocated to Houston from your complaint!
The Black Sardine could never understand why I objected to being routed to Dallas when traveling to North Carolina.....a short three hour flight beyond my destination with routing via Atlanta to get to the International Airport served by direct flights from London and Frankfurt.
What was even more amazing was I could buy "Y" tickets cheaper than Bristow was paying for their no change...no refund...non exchangeable tickets....and they would not agree to a reimbursement agreement where I bought the tickets and they could save money.
Must have interfered with the old "Bristow Management Fiddle" so well known in those times.
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Plus ca change plus c'est la meme chose
SASless,
With punctuation apologies to French speakers!
At the risk of being accused of reminiscing while Rome (or more accurately Chanomi Creek) burns, you are right about Travel.
At least Viv and "The Black Sardine" didnt send you from Redhill to Kuala Trengganu via Reykyavik (unless the ticket was REALLY cheap and even then it was still usually Business Class! - - - I know the Oil Companies were charged for First!!)
Even greasing the wheels by leaving a carton of Duty Free Bensons next to the ashtray in Viv's office (those were the days!) would be a breach of modern day COBI.
A greater crisis has come to light in Warri in the last few days - the Prodeco Supermarket is fresh out of tonic water!!
When the brave chaps come back from dusting off their flak jackets and practicing NOE techniques, they can't even enjoy a decent Sundowner (at least 12 hours prior to their next scheduled flight of course!)
Do you have any reliable contacts in the ICRC who could arrange a Food (or Drink) parcel for the boys? I am hand carrying limited supplies back today.
Trog
With punctuation apologies to French speakers!
At the risk of being accused of reminiscing while Rome (or more accurately Chanomi Creek) burns, you are right about Travel.
At least Viv and "The Black Sardine" didnt send you from Redhill to Kuala Trengganu via Reykyavik (unless the ticket was REALLY cheap and even then it was still usually Business Class! - - - I know the Oil Companies were charged for First!!)
Even greasing the wheels by leaving a carton of Duty Free Bensons next to the ashtray in Viv's office (those were the days!) would be a breach of modern day COBI.
A greater crisis has come to light in Warri in the last few days - the Prodeco Supermarket is fresh out of tonic water!!
When the brave chaps come back from dusting off their flak jackets and practicing NOE techniques, they can't even enjoy a decent Sundowner (at least 12 hours prior to their next scheduled flight of course!)
Do you have any reliable contacts in the ICRC who could arrange a Food (or Drink) parcel for the boys? I am hand carrying limited supplies back today.
Trog
Trog Laddy,
Wait for things to get much worse....Dien Bien Phu worse....and I can have a wee chat with some of my fellow "Tarheels" who might be dropping in for a visit. Perhaps they might have room for a pallet of humanitarian supplies for geriatric helicopter pilots. They can be identified by their baggy pants and penchant for screaming "All The Way!".... 'cept for dem quiet types that just show up in the dark.
As Sherman said while taking a stroll through Georgia by torch light one time...."War is Hell!"....him being a dedicated drinker should know.
Funny thing....I always took you for a Gin and Gin guy!
Gulder must be getting pretty tasty now days!
Wait for things to get much worse....Dien Bien Phu worse....and I can have a wee chat with some of my fellow "Tarheels" who might be dropping in for a visit. Perhaps they might have room for a pallet of humanitarian supplies for geriatric helicopter pilots. They can be identified by their baggy pants and penchant for screaming "All The Way!".... 'cept for dem quiet types that just show up in the dark.
As Sherman said while taking a stroll through Georgia by torch light one time...."War is Hell!"....him being a dedicated drinker should know.
Funny thing....I always took you for a Gin and Gin guy!
Gulder must be getting pretty tasty now days!
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Bristow/Nigeria
With the vents unfolding in the Delta area with the rebel action.........it would be interesting to get some insight from the people who have seen this before. Any ideas or opinions on how this will all play out?
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Originally Posted by alouette
On another note; recently one nigerian at lunch in the messhall told me that there is no hostage taking in the Niger Delta, no bombings, etc etc... He also mentioned that all these stories are a fabrication of the media to make Nigeria look bad. I wish I would have had the power to push his face into his plate of pasta. MALANDRO!!!
However some of the events are most likely done by criminals rather than the MEND terrorists.
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Easy, rick
It's to keep all the rampant corruption in the oil industry away from the innocent Nigerians, allowing them to go on with their daily lives without being tainted by us rotten Oyibo's.
It's to keep all the rampant corruption in the oil industry away from the innocent Nigerians, allowing them to go on with their daily lives without being tainted by us rotten Oyibo's.
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The messhall malandro
What really got me revved up was that I know people who got kidnapped. Thus the statement "there is no such thing or activity" .. made it tough on me not to take action
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alo,
I too know guys who were kidnapped and we all know the bloke is full of it.
Maybe he is an apologist for the MEND, or just a proud national who is embarrassed by the state of his homeland and know of no way to counter it.
I too know guys who were kidnapped and we all know the bloke is full of it.
Maybe he is an apologist for the MEND, or just a proud national who is embarrassed by the state of his homeland and know of no way to counter it.
Chief Bottle Washer
I've spent the weekend mulling over the issues that have arisen on this thread, following my tardy deletion of some inflammatory posts.
One of the devils of moderation is getting it right, or as near right as possible, for all Rotorheads. There will always be conflicting opinions and demands from contributors, and I will not always please all the Rotorheads all the time. In an attempt to "moderate gently", I probably erred by not deleting the offending posts earlier, relying on a ban on the poster (olaolu Jacob) instead.
I did, however, delete the ensuing argument, which was largely irrelevant following the requested removal of the offensive posts. There was no intent to become "heavy handed" in this moderation, and there was no intention of offending those whose posts were deleted. I apologise to those who took this moderation as offensive, it was not intended as such. MM's post has been reinstated, but the rest remain irrelevant following the deletion of the offensive posts.
This thread has been long running and informative for many years, thanks to the contributions of many Nigeria hands. It has reached the status of belonging to all, and does not deserve to be deleted or distorted such as to lose its continuity.
One of the devils of moderation is getting it right, or as near right as possible, for all Rotorheads. There will always be conflicting opinions and demands from contributors, and I will not always please all the Rotorheads all the time. In an attempt to "moderate gently", I probably erred by not deleting the offending posts earlier, relying on a ban on the poster (olaolu Jacob) instead.
I did, however, delete the ensuing argument, which was largely irrelevant following the requested removal of the offensive posts. There was no intent to become "heavy handed" in this moderation, and there was no intention of offending those whose posts were deleted. I apologise to those who took this moderation as offensive, it was not intended as such. MM's post has been reinstated, but the rest remain irrelevant following the deletion of the offensive posts.
This thread has been long running and informative for many years, thanks to the contributions of many Nigeria hands. It has reached the status of belonging to all, and does not deserve to be deleted or distorted such as to lose its continuity.
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I've been told Bristows suspended the CP of Warri WT who was flying the helicopter that got hit by a bullet on Friday and the young co-pilot.
Can that be true?
Anyone else heard anything?
B.
Can that be true?
Anyone else heard anything?
B.
Nigerian In Law
Ops Normal ?
All quiet in the Delta again today. Same as yesterday and the day before. Bristow won't land onshore, Aero going are to known sites only.
It just isn't fun anymore. And never will be again.
NEO
It just isn't fun anymore. And never will be again.
NEO
Time to move on then.....another day in "As the World Turns"!
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Do you know about
Go to *******
Mods are much more friendly there
Link deleted by (such an unfriendly) Mod.
SP
Go to *******
Mods are much more friendly there
Link deleted by (such an unfriendly) Mod.
SP
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 25th May 2009 at 15:38. Reason: Delete link
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Daily Telegraph, UK
Shell 'played role in activist executions'
Royal Dutch Shell is due in court on Wednesday this week to face charges of being complicit in the execution of Nigerian activist Ken Saro-Wiwa 14 years ago.
By Mike Pflanz, West Africa Correspondent
Last Updated: 5:53AM BST 26 May 2009
The Anglo-Dutch petrochemicals giant will be accused of asking Nigeria's military dictatorship to silence Mr Saro-Wiwa and other activists campaigning against ecological damage allegedly brought about by oil extraction.
Mr Saro-Wiwa and eight other campaigners were executed by hanging in November 1995 after being found guilty of what were widely seen as trumped up murder charges.
If found liable, Shell would be forced to pay damages that amount to hundreds of millions of dollars.
"While Shell didn't tighten the noose or pull the trigger, they played a critical supporting role for which they must be held accountable," said Jen Nessel from the Center for Constitutional Rights, one of the organisations involved in the trial, which opens in New York on Wednesday.
"May 27th will see Ken Saro Wiwa's prophesy fulfilled that Shell would one day be on trial for what it did to the Ogoni people."
The plaintiffs in Wiwa v Shell, a consolidation of several long-running cases, will also argue that the company is guilty of crimes against humanity, torture and illegal detainment.
Royal Dutch Shell vigorously denies all the allegations, which are being brought by relatives of Mr Saro-Wiwa and other victims of Nigeria's military dictatorship.
Mr Saro-Wiwa co-founded the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, established in 1990 to fight against alleged exploitation of the inhabitants of Nigeria's oil-rich Ogoni region by oil multinationals. Shell has since stopped working there, but still has large operations elsewhere in south-eastern Nigeria.
Mr Saro-Wiwa's vociferous campaigning brought a greater international awareness of environmental damage said to be caused by oil extraction, especially details of repeated oil spills and the practice of gas-flaring.
"Shell refuses to apologise for its role in the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa," said Ben Amunwa, of Platform, a British pressure group involved in the case.
"Worse still, Shell continue to pollute and flare gas with impunity in the Niger Delta, poisoning land and aggravating locals.
"The legitimate grievances of Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni remain unaddressed, Shell's ongoing environmental abuses fan the flames of conflict between oil companies and host communities."
Nigeria's military has recently launched its heaviest crackdown yet on militants in the Niger Delta, bombing their creek-side camps and reportedly killing key rebel leaders.
Amnesty International says there are reports that "hundreds" of civilians have died during the operation, although Nigeria's government denies this.
"The allegations made in the complaints against Royal Dutch Shell concerning the 1995 executions of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his eight fellow Ogonis are false and without merit," a Shell spokesman said.
"Shell in no way encouraged or advocated any act of violence against them or their fellow Ogonis. We believe that the evidence will show clearly that Shell was not responsible for these tragic events."
The trial could result in the first successful prosecution brought under the Alien Torts Statute, which gives non-US citizens the right to file suits in US courts for international human rights violations.
The trial comes after a 12-year legal battle in which Shell has made repeated efforts to have the case thrown out of court in the US.
Royal Dutch Shell is due in court on Wednesday this week to face charges of being complicit in the execution of Nigerian activist Ken Saro-Wiwa 14 years ago.
By Mike Pflanz, West Africa Correspondent
Last Updated: 5:53AM BST 26 May 2009
The Anglo-Dutch petrochemicals giant will be accused of asking Nigeria's military dictatorship to silence Mr Saro-Wiwa and other activists campaigning against ecological damage allegedly brought about by oil extraction.
Mr Saro-Wiwa and eight other campaigners were executed by hanging in November 1995 after being found guilty of what were widely seen as trumped up murder charges.
If found liable, Shell would be forced to pay damages that amount to hundreds of millions of dollars.
"While Shell didn't tighten the noose or pull the trigger, they played a critical supporting role for which they must be held accountable," said Jen Nessel from the Center for Constitutional Rights, one of the organisations involved in the trial, which opens in New York on Wednesday.
"May 27th will see Ken Saro Wiwa's prophesy fulfilled that Shell would one day be on trial for what it did to the Ogoni people."
The plaintiffs in Wiwa v Shell, a consolidation of several long-running cases, will also argue that the company is guilty of crimes against humanity, torture and illegal detainment.
Royal Dutch Shell vigorously denies all the allegations, which are being brought by relatives of Mr Saro-Wiwa and other victims of Nigeria's military dictatorship.
Mr Saro-Wiwa co-founded the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, established in 1990 to fight against alleged exploitation of the inhabitants of Nigeria's oil-rich Ogoni region by oil multinationals. Shell has since stopped working there, but still has large operations elsewhere in south-eastern Nigeria.
Mr Saro-Wiwa's vociferous campaigning brought a greater international awareness of environmental damage said to be caused by oil extraction, especially details of repeated oil spills and the practice of gas-flaring.
"Shell refuses to apologise for its role in the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa," said Ben Amunwa, of Platform, a British pressure group involved in the case.
"Worse still, Shell continue to pollute and flare gas with impunity in the Niger Delta, poisoning land and aggravating locals.
"The legitimate grievances of Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni remain unaddressed, Shell's ongoing environmental abuses fan the flames of conflict between oil companies and host communities."
Nigeria's military has recently launched its heaviest crackdown yet on militants in the Niger Delta, bombing their creek-side camps and reportedly killing key rebel leaders.
Amnesty International says there are reports that "hundreds" of civilians have died during the operation, although Nigeria's government denies this.
"The allegations made in the complaints against Royal Dutch Shell concerning the 1995 executions of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his eight fellow Ogonis are false and without merit," a Shell spokesman said.
"Shell in no way encouraged or advocated any act of violence against them or their fellow Ogonis. We believe that the evidence will show clearly that Shell was not responsible for these tragic events."
The trial could result in the first successful prosecution brought under the Alien Torts Statute, which gives non-US citizens the right to file suits in US courts for international human rights violations.
The trial comes after a 12-year legal battle in which Shell has made repeated efforts to have the case thrown out of court in the US.
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Pardon my diversion.....
So the American legal system is running out of ludicrous lawsuits to keep their court rooms busy and lawyers cashed up?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but a Dutch company is tried in an American court for alleged violations in Nigeria?
WTF?
One would imagine the Nigerian judicial system might be “influenced” by the nature of the alleged offense, but surely the matter could be resolved in the Netherlands? I will rather stick with things I understand, like African politics........
O, and the International Criminal Court is based in the Netherlands, with jurisdiction over Crimes Against Humanity, which is part of the rap sheet........I rest my case your Honour!
So the American legal system is running out of ludicrous lawsuits to keep their court rooms busy and lawyers cashed up?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but a Dutch company is tried in an American court for alleged violations in Nigeria?
WTF?
One would imagine the Nigerian judicial system might be “influenced” by the nature of the alleged offense, but surely the matter could be resolved in the Netherlands? I will rather stick with things I understand, like African politics........
O, and the International Criminal Court is based in the Netherlands, with jurisdiction over Crimes Against Humanity, which is part of the rap sheet........I rest my case your Honour!
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A lot of information and personal stories have been passed on this thread. "Thanks for the read." I'm not currently working in Africa, although I have worked in several countries on the eastern and western side. My question is are most of you ready to leave? Like anyone who has been in Africa, I find myself looking in that area for work again. There is still oil inland and off-shore, and dispite the economy, lots of consumers around out there. How do the lot of you feel when getting ready for your next tour? Still worth it?
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Next African Tour
I have been working in Africa for close to 3 years now. I find the worst is the countdown to the number of days before your flight. to start the tour....... It is always the same feeling...has to be done...BUT..rather would stay..BUT.cant ..........have to go. Goodbyes to my family are never changing.,,,,,,,,difficult... BUT...........get in...........eat...work..sleep................go HOME.YAH..........YAH...never-ending story.
Nigerian In Law
Coffee,
Like sharpcollector I've been working in Nigeria for a few years now. I see the entire touring routine as an attitude of mind, one which people either accept or move on. Even with the ups and downs of the industry there is always a choice.
Touring to Nigeria has changed beyond recognition with all the security concerns and countermeasures. One regret is that those who started more recently, while not having a past Nigeria to miss (they weren't here), can sometimes think that the armed convoys and guarded compounds are protecting them from ALL those bad Nigerians, when in fact the vast majority are just normal people doing their best to get by. They are among the friendliest people I have come across and considering the history of Nigeria since Independence how they still manage to smile is beyond me.
So the answer to your question is that until and unless things deteriorate further I still feel the same getting ready for my next tour as I did 17 years ago.
NEO
Like sharpcollector I've been working in Nigeria for a few years now. I see the entire touring routine as an attitude of mind, one which people either accept or move on. Even with the ups and downs of the industry there is always a choice.
Touring to Nigeria has changed beyond recognition with all the security concerns and countermeasures. One regret is that those who started more recently, while not having a past Nigeria to miss (they weren't here), can sometimes think that the armed convoys and guarded compounds are protecting them from ALL those bad Nigerians, when in fact the vast majority are just normal people doing their best to get by. They are among the friendliest people I have come across and considering the history of Nigeria since Independence how they still manage to smile is beyond me.
So the answer to your question is that until and unless things deteriorate further I still feel the same getting ready for my next tour as I did 17 years ago.
NEO