What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Glad to see SNAFU remains the status quo!
Nigerian In Law
212man,
Why change the habits of a lifetime ?!! Hope all is well down there, if you see "Big Nose" please pass on my best regards.
NEO
Why change the habits of a lifetime ?!! Hope all is well down there, if you see "Big Nose" please pass on my best regards.
NEO
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As if things weren't already bad enough for most of the aviation people in Nigeria, SASless's posting on Rotorheads can't exactly be cheery Christmas reading for Bristow staff.
However, it's good to know that aviation in Nigeria is now in safe hands if you read the postings by Tobias Wilcock on the Africation Aviation Forum. There you'll see that the Presidential advisor on aviation was apparently an accounts clerk at Zaria before running the ground base for the Nigerian Police Force, the DG of NAMA 'Captain' Iyayi is a Chemistry graduate and allegedly has no pofessional pilot licence (maybe he was captain on a bulk chermicals tanker
), and the Head of the NCAA Accident Investigation branch is actually an aerodrome engineer who had to lave Zaria due to incompetence.
Will anything ever change? Probably not
However, it's good to know that aviation in Nigeria is now in safe hands if you read the postings by Tobias Wilcock on the Africation Aviation Forum. There you'll see that the Presidential advisor on aviation was apparently an accounts clerk at Zaria before running the ground base for the Nigerian Police Force, the DG of NAMA 'Captain' Iyayi is a Chemistry graduate and allegedly has no pofessional pilot licence (maybe he was captain on a bulk chermicals tanker
), and the Head of the NCAA Accident Investigation branch is actually an aerodrome engineer who had to lave Zaria due to incompetence.Will anything ever change? Probably not
The Nigerian Police Air Wing....now that is a study of all to itself!
What was a few years back....Twenty-two Million US Dollars spent on spares....and not a single flyable aircraft to show for it?
I am quite sure the Nigerian government will sort this situation out quite smartish....ya'll just stand back and watch the fur fly!
Who was the lady that seemed to sort out the Lagos Int'l Airport....she would be my pick for the job. There was a definite improvement there.
The post by Wilcock in the African aviation forum is a must read!
To think....there are some very qualified, professional, ethical people in Nigeria that suffer from the excesses of such a system.
I know quite a few that I would love to see take an active role in bringing Nigerian aviation into the mainstream. The problem is getting rid of the problem children that run the place now.
What was a few years back....Twenty-two Million US Dollars spent on spares....and not a single flyable aircraft to show for it?
I am quite sure the Nigerian government will sort this situation out quite smartish....ya'll just stand back and watch the fur fly!
Who was the lady that seemed to sort out the Lagos Int'l Airport....she would be my pick for the job. There was a definite improvement there.
The post by Wilcock in the African aviation forum is a must read!
To think....there are some very qualified, professional, ethical people in Nigeria that suffer from the excesses of such a system.
I know quite a few that I would love to see take an active role in bringing Nigerian aviation into the mainstream. The problem is getting rid of the problem children that run the place now.
Last edited by SASless; 26th Dec 2005 at 14:22.
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Tom, there's growing evidence of the growth of militant Ijaws in the Niger Delta. Mujahid Dokubo-Asari has pledged to step up his war against the oil companies and the Nigerian government. See this article and the accompanying pictures before you decide to fly too low over the rivers and mangrove swamps in the Niger Delta region.
Militant Ijaws
All Safety and Security consultants to the major helicopter operators should be aware of the potential level of risk to which their pilots could be exposed in the event of a malfunction causing an emergency landing in the riverine areas, or when landing at unprotected onshore landing sites. As the past has shown, they are also quite capable of taking over offshore installations. It's time the government and the operators started taking serious measures for the protection of all workers, including we helicopter pilots in Nigeria. As usual, however, until so may workers have left and the oil industry really starts to suffer, nothing will happen. Several years ago, when hijacking was fairly common, there was little publicity given to it (probably to protect the crews involved during negotiations for their release). It could easily start again. Any pilot considering coming to fly in Nigeria should ask his or her prospective employer what security measures they have in place, or propose to have in place for their security in the place of work and residence. I would guess that any such question will be met with a deafening silence.
Militant Ijaws
All Safety and Security consultants to the major helicopter operators should be aware of the potential level of risk to which their pilots could be exposed in the event of a malfunction causing an emergency landing in the riverine areas, or when landing at unprotected onshore landing sites. As the past has shown, they are also quite capable of taking over offshore installations. It's time the government and the operators started taking serious measures for the protection of all workers, including we helicopter pilots in Nigeria. As usual, however, until so may workers have left and the oil industry really starts to suffer, nothing will happen. Several years ago, when hijacking was fairly common, there was little publicity given to it (probably to protect the crews involved during negotiations for their release). It could easily start again. Any pilot considering coming to fly in Nigeria should ask his or her prospective employer what security measures they have in place, or propose to have in place for their security in the place of work and residence. I would guess that any such question will be met with a deafening silence.
Tok,
Add in the lack of dedicated SAR for the long distance offshore flights now....and that must be a comforting feeling. I don't think I would like to be bobbin' in the oggin' waiting for a work boat to come find me in the middle of the night.
There is far more to working in Nigeria than is put into the recruiting posters.
Any buzzes about changes at Lagos for Bristow.....any smoke coming from the OLOG chimney in Houston to announce the new boss's selection?
The new Pan African GM still gulping down Fosters?
Add in the lack of dedicated SAR for the long distance offshore flights now....and that must be a comforting feeling. I don't think I would like to be bobbin' in the oggin' waiting for a work boat to come find me in the middle of the night.
There is far more to working in Nigeria than is put into the recruiting posters.
Any buzzes about changes at Lagos for Bristow.....any smoke coming from the OLOG chimney in Houston to announce the new boss's selection?
The new Pan African GM still gulping down Fosters?
Cor,
I met the one on the right.....gave him my watch one night!
Just kidding....
For those who are interested...good article on Nigeria and its oil patch.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/nigeria.html
I met the one on the right.....gave him my watch one night!
Just kidding....
For those who are interested...good article on Nigeria and its oil patch.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/nigeria.html
re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
"Tell me, are the guys in Nigeria allowed to carry there own protection against these friendly folks?"
What did you have in mind? You can't seriously be talking about carrying weapons? If so, I suggest you take a couple of 'imagination' pills, then take a reality check!
What did you have in mind? You can't seriously be talking about carrying weapons? If so, I suggest you take a couple of 'imagination' pills, then take a reality check!
Nigerian In Law
re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Back to reality......well sort of 
Anyone have any idea who is going to sit in the "Big Chair" at PAAN/Bristow Lagos ??
Sas ? Over to you mate.
NEO
Anyone have any idea who is going to sit in the "Big Chair" at PAAN/Bristow Lagos ??Sas ? Over to you mate.
NEO
re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
How about a Nigerian who, say, had Ops managers experience and some relevant academic qualifications like, for instance, An MSc in Air Transport Management and an MBA. Add in some Training experience and a super nice chap into the bargain, and Bob's your uncle.............
Sorry, silly me; no-one like that exists, do they?
Sorry, silly me; no-one like that exists, do they?
Nigerian In Law
re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
212,
Tut tut mate, sarcasm just doesn't become you............
Looks as though there's a wind of change blowing and it's getting stronger. Interesting times to come methinks
Tut tut mate, sarcasm just doesn't become you............
Looks as though there's a wind of change blowing and it's getting stronger. Interesting times to come methinks
re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
"Looks as though there's a wind of change blowing and it's getting stronger"
That's just Harmattan
(Which reminds me; this time last year I was on the mini bus, with a 328 load of suitcases, from Lagos to Warri. Seems a long while ago!)
That's just Harmattan
(Which reminds me; this time last year I was on the mini bus, with a 328 load of suitcases, from Lagos to Warri. Seems a long while ago!)
re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
I would suggest it is more in the way of rejoicing than gloating in this case.
The Nigerian fellow 212man refers to....is and has been for years....the exact right choice for the job. I assume it is the bald headed chap with the Oxford education who always carried some intellectual tome about when the rest of us were reading page three of the week old newspaper.
In a short five page missive to the Mandarins five years ago...I told them exactly that and what would happen if they did not open up an Equal Opportunity Program for the home team there. It has been the old 'Glass Ceiling" concept in action. There are some very sharp guys there that would do quite well for the company given the opportunity.
The Nigerian fellow 212man refers to....is and has been for years....the exact right choice for the job. I assume it is the bald headed chap with the Oxford education who always carried some intellectual tome about when the rest of us were reading page three of the week old newspaper.
In a short five page missive to the Mandarins five years ago...I told them exactly that and what would happen if they did not open up an Equal Opportunity Program for the home team there. It has been the old 'Glass Ceiling" concept in action. There are some very sharp guys there that would do quite well for the company given the opportunity.
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re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
SASless,
Thanks for that. I was perhaps not as clear as I should have been. When I suggested that 212 Man might have been gloating it was refernce to his last sentence of his statement in brackets, viz., (Which ......Lagos to Warri. Seems a long while ago!).
As to the personality of whom you speak: I think we ALL agree there and hope it comes to fruition. Certainly, some of the deadwood should be pruned because they, to my mind, have not been part of the solution and very much part of the problem.
NC43
Thanks for that. I was perhaps not as clear as I should have been. When I suggested that 212 Man might have been gloating it was refernce to his last sentence of his statement in brackets, viz., (Which ......Lagos to Warri. Seems a long while ago!).
As to the personality of whom you speak: I think we ALL agree there and hope it comes to fruition. Certainly, some of the deadwood should be pruned because they, to my mind, have not been part of the solution and very much part of the problem.
NC43
re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
I think gloating is too strong; more like blessed relief! Mind you, it's b***y wet here at the moment!
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re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Ah...In Nigeria, with te elp of God evything is posibie...
In matters of the warmongers in the Delta willing to spark another melee; do I have to equip my helicopter's first aid kit with a 45 plus a few other devices to fight my way through in case of an unwanted landing in the Delta paradise?
As said evything is posibie
In matters of the warmongers in the Delta willing to spark another melee; do I have to equip my helicopter's first aid kit with a 45 plus a few other devices to fight my way through in case of an unwanted landing in the Delta paradise?
As said evything is posibie
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re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Life is cheap in Nigeria. 20,000,000 People in Lagos - alone can't be wrong.
Probably the greatest challenge to democracy in Africa. Will all the politics with the tree huggers, the crooks, the NCAA.......ever, ever make any bit of difference to the average Nigerian............Not a hope! With the help of corruption, it'll never change for the good. at least not for many generations.
Hell of a price to pay for the average Nigerian's life.
Probably the greatest challenge to democracy in Africa. Will all the politics with the tree huggers, the crooks, the NCAA.......ever, ever make any bit of difference to the average Nigerian............Not a hope! With the help of corruption, it'll never change for the good. at least not for many generations.
Hell of a price to pay for the average Nigerian's life.
Nigerian In Law
re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Helipolar,
What do you suggest ? An honest dictator to sweep it all away, maybe like Flt Lt Rawlings appears to have done in Ghana ?
NEO
What do you suggest ? An honest dictator to sweep it all away, maybe like Flt Lt Rawlings appears to have done in Ghana ?
NEO