What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
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NO Ebola/But No Common SENSE
So we remain locked behind gates in PH if everything is golden again, but our colleagues in Lagos are still able to wander out?
(Probably a function of the 2 "security" flunkies and their self-aggrandizing that only messes with those of us not inside their Lagos circle of influence. Princess Leia and his little Jedi friend contribute nothing but regurgitated gossip and day old warnings!)
See our national staff can drive themselves to work, go to bars, and "rub-a-dub-dub" with the local population, but that's considered safe? Although they're always the first to get sick or come down with malaria/malingering.
Consistency? Thy name is hypocrisy!
(Probably a function of the 2 "security" flunkies and their self-aggrandizing that only messes with those of us not inside their Lagos circle of influence. Princess Leia and his little Jedi friend contribute nothing but regurgitated gossip and day old warnings!)
See our national staff can drive themselves to work, go to bars, and "rub-a-dub-dub" with the local population, but that's considered safe? Although they're always the first to get sick or come down with malaria/malingering.
Consistency? Thy name is hypocrisy!
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SirK,
I'd be very careful what you say about national staff coming down sick or come down with malaria/malingering. Not all of us have the luxury of living in company-provided, supposedly secure, air-conditioned accommodation where mosquitoes can be more easily controlled
The disparity between Port Harcourt and Lagos is well known, but that's more than likely because the senior management always feel they're immune to robbery or attack (conveniently forgetting what happened to Clement).
Meanwhile the even more senior management, otherwise known as Nigeria's political elite continue to fiddle while Rome burns, seemingly unmoved by what's happening to our country
I'd be very careful what you say about national staff coming down sick or come down with malaria/malingering. Not all of us have the luxury of living in company-provided, supposedly secure, air-conditioned accommodation where mosquitoes can be more easily controlled
The disparity between Port Harcourt and Lagos is well known, but that's more than likely because the senior management always feel they're immune to robbery or attack (conveniently forgetting what happened to Clement).
Meanwhile the even more senior management, otherwise known as Nigeria's political elite continue to fiddle while Rome burns, seemingly unmoved by what's happening to our country
FOR a town known as “home of peace”, Maiduguri, the capital of Borno in northern Nigeria, is seeing a lot of violence. It stands at the centre of an insurgency by Boko Haram, an Islamist outfit trying to establish a caliphate, and its fate is being closely watched in Western capitals.
Several towns in the state, including Gwoza and Bama, are now under the insurgents’ control. Maiduguri, home to as many as 2m people, seems to be their ultimate target. Recent attacks have been directed at Konduga, a town roughly 35km (22 miles) outside the city. “The only route going into and out of Borno now is the Maiduguri-Kano road,” says one Western embassy official. The other main roads to the capital are controlled by militants.
The army appears to be more serious about defending the city than surrounding settlements. This week it captured hundreds of militants. But the momentum may still be against it. The 7th Division, created in 2013 to defend Maiduguri, is poorly equipped, disillusioned and dwindling thanks to desertion and losses, even taking into account the reported deployment of 500 new troops. This month 12 soldiers from the division were sentenced to death by firing squad for mutiny.
“The army probably only has 8,500-12,000 combat-ready troops in the state, which might not be that much more than Boko Haram,” says Jacob Zenn, an analyst for the Jamestown Foundation, an American think-tank. “If Maiduguri falls then consider Borno in Boko Haram’s hands.” The risk of the city falling is alarming Western governments, worried about the stability of Africa’s most populous country and of the wider region. “What do we do if Maiduguri falls?” asks one senior diplomat. “We can’t let Nigeria collapse,” adds another.
An extra concern is the rising flow of refugees. Maiduguri is still a sanctuary for people from surrounding settlements, and officials reckon that 58,000 people are now seeking safety in the city. Public schools in Borno are closed, international aid agencies have long since fled and farming has ground to a standstill, pushing up food prices. Costs will rise further now that the majority of roads have been taken over, says Patricia Donli, a lecturer at the local university. One unhappy consequence is that militants may be pushed to raid farther afield for food and money, much of which comes from looting towns and convoys. “If they take Maiduguri,” says a diplomat, “they are going to have to go outside of Borno for their booty.”
It is even possible that violence could delay the presidential vote due for early next year. Local press reported earlier in September that David Mark, the senate president, had said there was “no question of elections” because the country was at war. That comment was swiftly retracted. But despite such talk, there is little to suggest that Nigeria’s political and economic elite are paying the insurgency much heed, possibly because the problems in the north-east are perceived as being mostly removed from the commercial and political centres of Lagos and Abuja.
There are signs that the government is realising the severity of the situation, but it is proving slow to act. “I doubt that currently there is the political and military support to bring an end to the problem,” said one civil-society leader. “It requires the highest level of political engagement but I don’t think there is the interest at present to solve it.”
For the moment locals in Maiduguri remain calm. But unless the army convincingly pushes the militants back, that may not last long.
the Economist
Several towns in the state, including Gwoza and Bama, are now under the insurgents’ control. Maiduguri, home to as many as 2m people, seems to be their ultimate target. Recent attacks have been directed at Konduga, a town roughly 35km (22 miles) outside the city. “The only route going into and out of Borno now is the Maiduguri-Kano road,” says one Western embassy official. The other main roads to the capital are controlled by militants.
The army appears to be more serious about defending the city than surrounding settlements. This week it captured hundreds of militants. But the momentum may still be against it. The 7th Division, created in 2013 to defend Maiduguri, is poorly equipped, disillusioned and dwindling thanks to desertion and losses, even taking into account the reported deployment of 500 new troops. This month 12 soldiers from the division were sentenced to death by firing squad for mutiny.
“The army probably only has 8,500-12,000 combat-ready troops in the state, which might not be that much more than Boko Haram,” says Jacob Zenn, an analyst for the Jamestown Foundation, an American think-tank. “If Maiduguri falls then consider Borno in Boko Haram’s hands.” The risk of the city falling is alarming Western governments, worried about the stability of Africa’s most populous country and of the wider region. “What do we do if Maiduguri falls?” asks one senior diplomat. “We can’t let Nigeria collapse,” adds another.
An extra concern is the rising flow of refugees. Maiduguri is still a sanctuary for people from surrounding settlements, and officials reckon that 58,000 people are now seeking safety in the city. Public schools in Borno are closed, international aid agencies have long since fled and farming has ground to a standstill, pushing up food prices. Costs will rise further now that the majority of roads have been taken over, says Patricia Donli, a lecturer at the local university. One unhappy consequence is that militants may be pushed to raid farther afield for food and money, much of which comes from looting towns and convoys. “If they take Maiduguri,” says a diplomat, “they are going to have to go outside of Borno for their booty.”
It is even possible that violence could delay the presidential vote due for early next year. Local press reported earlier in September that David Mark, the senate president, had said there was “no question of elections” because the country was at war. That comment was swiftly retracted. But despite such talk, there is little to suggest that Nigeria’s political and economic elite are paying the insurgency much heed, possibly because the problems in the north-east are perceived as being mostly removed from the commercial and political centres of Lagos and Abuja.
There are signs that the government is realising the severity of the situation, but it is proving slow to act. “I doubt that currently there is the political and military support to bring an end to the problem,” said one civil-society leader. “It requires the highest level of political engagement but I don’t think there is the interest at present to solve it.”
For the moment locals in Maiduguri remain calm. But unless the army convincingly pushes the militants back, that may not last long.
the Economist
The last two Pumas in Nigeria go into the back of a hangar today. The L and L2 in Port Harcourt that escaped the fire are being retired. Crews have a mixed bag of luck, some are made redundant, 2 go to Australia and some go on the S76. The ticket to a S76 conversion rather than redundancy seemed to be possession of a South African passport.
A couple of quotes from Akin:-
But on testing the water, it seems that when you state your intention to leave, they won't let you go as they are short of pilots.
I will extend the trial of 4 x 4 rotation to the 31st of December 2014. At this point we will review and decide whether or not it is worth the additional cost to the business. I realize that some persons will not be happy with this; however, please make it abundantly clear that we will be happy for them to leave on this issue.
Gentlemen, I have noticed a reluctance to commence weekend crew travel. This is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. I will therefore commence an enforcement of this travel plan. Those who wish not to travel over the weekend need to look for alternative appointments immediately.
Last edited by Nescafe; 2nd Oct 2014 at 09:29.
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National-staff/Accommodation
Keke, wrong-o bongo!
You surely should know that in PH, all national staff on rotation get to "enjoy" the same lizard lounge shelter that we expats must contend with; all of course in conjunction with the MD uprooting us at whim without notice, (refers Polo Suites abortion), to save a penny here and a peso there.
This includes one of our fearless leaders who lives in PH, but has the convenience of loving the ladies away from primary family residence! Where else would a company provide a flat in the same town you owned a house?
(Remember all the months that OO mooched at BRC?)
I throw no rocks at my Nigerian colleagues in general; just saying the game is rigged in favor of those born here which is as it probably should be.
Nationalization is coming and we're going. So be it; a lovely couple years ride while it lasted. Only wish AO would stop being such a hypocrite in his saying otherwise. He has his favorites and they continue to suck on the Bristow-teat even though even they can't describe or defend the job they don't do anymore.
You surely should know that in PH, all national staff on rotation get to "enjoy" the same lizard lounge shelter that we expats must contend with; all of course in conjunction with the MD uprooting us at whim without notice, (refers Polo Suites abortion), to save a penny here and a peso there.
This includes one of our fearless leaders who lives in PH, but has the convenience of loving the ladies away from primary family residence! Where else would a company provide a flat in the same town you owned a house?
(Remember all the months that OO mooched at BRC?)
I throw no rocks at my Nigerian colleagues in general; just saying the game is rigged in favor of those born here which is as it probably should be.
Nationalization is coming and we're going. So be it; a lovely couple years ride while it lasted. Only wish AO would stop being such a hypocrite in his saying otherwise. He has his favorites and they continue to suck on the Bristow-teat even though even they can't describe or defend the job they don't do anymore.
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But on testing the water, it seems that when you state your intention to leave, they won't let you go as they are short of pilots.
Or do the Pilots just tug their forelock and do as they are told?
How many have quit over the change?
Probably something to do with kids at school and/or working wives/girlfriends, you know, that trivial domestic stuff!
Meanwhile...
Not sure who is supporting ENI's ops, but this doesn't bode well for the future!
That's doing it in style! 
Large part of Eni's Nigerian oil deal cash went on bribes -Italian prosecutors | Reuters
MILAN (Reuters) - Italian prosecutors investigating state-backed firm Eni SpA over the purchase of a Nigerian oil field three years ago allege that at least half of the $1.1 billion paid was used to bribe local politicians, intermediaries and others, according to official documents and a person close to the investigation.
The Milan prosecutors have placed the Italian oil company, its former chief executive Paolo Scaroni and current CEO Claudio Descalzi under investigation for alleged international corruption surrounding the deal for the OPL 245 offshore oil field concession.
Eni and both managers, neither of whom have been charged, have denied any wrongdoing.
Calling on their UK counterpart to assist in freezing suspect assets, Italian prosecutors said in a letter to the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) seen by Reuters that at least $533 million was paid to Nigerian officials and intermediaries who helped secure the sale.
The Milan prosecutors have placed the Italian oil company, its former chief executive Paolo Scaroni and current CEO Claudio Descalzi under investigation for alleged international corruption surrounding the deal for the OPL 245 offshore oil field concession.
Eni and both managers, neither of whom have been charged, have denied any wrongdoing.
Calling on their UK counterpart to assist in freezing suspect assets, Italian prosecutors said in a letter to the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) seen by Reuters that at least $533 million was paid to Nigerian officials and intermediaries who helped secure the sale.
Large part of Eni's Nigerian oil deal cash went on bribes -Italian prosecutors | Reuters
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212Man: If you believe any deal goes down without some sort of brown envelope...no, you've been there and done that, you know better. It won't interrupt operations, it never does.
As for weekend travel, well spotted. Not a concern of this companies HR managers.
Goodgrief: For many, myself included, the issue was less the weekend travel than the fact that the 'ahem' Managing Director chose to initiate with a threat as opposed to just stating a need, or even canvassing for those who would be willing to do so immediately to help out.
SirKorsky: How does it go...Bristow trains 'em, Caverton pays 'em. I think that is what an SFO told me the other day.
And the difference in national vs expat accommodation is they can leave, without the entourage, the guns, the higher approval, yadda yadda yadda. I'm jealous!
Boudreaux Bob: A number of resignations (and some redundancies) but it has been hard to pin it down to a single cause. Most will do as you say, and for myself I don't really think the grass is any greener elsewhere. Helicopter companies are all much the same.
If I get told one more time that "B*****w isn't really like this, it's just here" I think I'll vomit
It's their name, they plaster it all over the operation...own it! and AO!
As for weekend travel, well spotted. Not a concern of this companies HR managers.
Goodgrief: For many, myself included, the issue was less the weekend travel than the fact that the 'ahem' Managing Director chose to initiate with a threat as opposed to just stating a need, or even canvassing for those who would be willing to do so immediately to help out.
SirKorsky: How does it go...Bristow trains 'em, Caverton pays 'em. I think that is what an SFO told me the other day.
And the difference in national vs expat accommodation is they can leave, without the entourage, the guns, the higher approval, yadda yadda yadda. I'm jealous!
Boudreaux Bob: A number of resignations (and some redundancies) but it has been hard to pin it down to a single cause. Most will do as you say, and for myself I don't really think the grass is any greener elsewhere.
Helicopter companies are all much the same.If I get told one more time that "B*****w isn't really like this, it's just here" I think I'll vomit
It's their name, they plaster it all over the operation...own it! and AO!
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It is supposed to be very good for Nigeria. All the local staff have a very high opinion of it, as do all the expats who have been lucky enough to be there.
http://www.oyibosonline.com/cgi-bin/newsscript.pl this may or may not be useful
http://www.oyibosonline.com/cgi-bin/newsscript.pl this may or may not be useful
Last edited by pilot and apprentice; 3rd Oct 2014 at 11:13. Reason: added link
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Heard via the grapevine that there has been lots of negative developments at Caverton.
Staff fired, pilots and engineer salaries adjusted....downwards....morale following same trend.....
Staff fired, pilots and engineer salaries adjusted....downwards....morale following same trend.....
Is this a surprise for anyone?
I don't think this is a surprise for anyone who has their eyes open!
Like many operations in that area...Lots of big talk & promises but in the end only a few at the top run away with the big $...
Like many operations in that area...Lots of big talk & promises but in the end only a few at the top run away with the big $...
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It looks as if some fairly senior people from ENI/Agip are being prosecuted over payments via former oil minister Dan Etete made during the Sani Abacha era. Strangely, Shell who were in a joint venture with ENI for the Malabu field, are not being prosecuted 
.
ENI Payments used to bribe Nigerian officials
Nigeria Air Force officers are disputing a claim made by Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau that they shot down the NAF Alpha jet which went missing 3 weeks ago. BH have released a video showing a man, claimed to be the pilot of the Alpha jet being beheaded with an axe.
Now that the first Ebola case has been diagnosed in USA there are fears that a flight ban may be imposed on other West African countries, which could
.ENI Payments used to bribe Nigerian officials
Nigeria Air Force officers are disputing a claim made by Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau that they shot down the NAF Alpha jet which went missing 3 weeks ago. BH have released a video showing a man, claimed to be the pilot of the Alpha jet being beheaded with an axe
.Now that the first Ebola case has been diagnosed in USA there are fears that a flight ban may be imposed on other West African countries, which could
The Ebola spread to the US has created fears that US aviation authorities could slap travel restrictions, which would signal a major crisis for African airlines struggling to make profits, analysts warned in a report on Thursday.
DaMina Advisors, an African political risk advisory service firm, warned that with the first US confirmed case of Ebola diagnosed in Texas and growing public pressure on the Obama administration to restrict US airline travel to West Africa, the financial viability of a number of already struggling domestic African airline carriers may be under threat.
Africa’s financially struggling airline industry, which supports over 7 million jobs and contributes US$80bn in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), may witness several financial insolvencies if the US and European Union impose travel restrictions to West Africa.
There are fears if the travel restrictions specifically target Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire, the potential of crippling the region’s economy would increase.
“While a US and EU airline travel ban on flights from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone may not materially affect the financial viability of the struggling West African airline companies, any flight bans on travel from larger economies of Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire has the real potential of financially crippling several domestic African carriers and negatively impacting West Africa’s GDP for 2014,” DaMina warned.
African airline companies are severely hit by poor airport infrastructure, high costs of operations and high insurance premiums.
The business challenges make the airlines least profitable aviation companies globally, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
DaMina Advisors, an African political risk advisory service firm, warned that with the first US confirmed case of Ebola diagnosed in Texas and growing public pressure on the Obama administration to restrict US airline travel to West Africa, the financial viability of a number of already struggling domestic African airline carriers may be under threat.
Africa’s financially struggling airline industry, which supports over 7 million jobs and contributes US$80bn in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), may witness several financial insolvencies if the US and European Union impose travel restrictions to West Africa.
There are fears if the travel restrictions specifically target Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire, the potential of crippling the region’s economy would increase.
“While a US and EU airline travel ban on flights from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone may not materially affect the financial viability of the struggling West African airline companies, any flight bans on travel from larger economies of Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire has the real potential of financially crippling several domestic African carriers and negatively impacting West Africa’s GDP for 2014,” DaMina warned.
African airline companies are severely hit by poor airport infrastructure, high costs of operations and high insurance premiums.
The business challenges make the airlines least profitable aviation companies globally, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
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Caverton
Can somebody clarify about the situation in Caverton-Dancopter please? I was applying to them but from what I read above, it looks like things are getting worse there.
Has the company changed hands? Have they already or are they about to lose any major contracts? Cutting salaries sounds like they are readying to lose staff.
Will appreciate a reply/PM from someone who is working there. Thanks
Has the company changed hands? Have they already or are they about to lose any major contracts? Cutting salaries sounds like they are readying to lose staff.
Will appreciate a reply/PM from someone who is working there. Thanks