What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Join Date: Apr 2003
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It's amazing, but...
I'm studying Human Performance and Limitations now and it really is surprising the stuff you learn. For instance, for most people the left lung is smaller than the right lung, due to the size and placement of the human heart.
Most managers, however, have both lungs the same size. I meant to ask why that was but then I dozed off...
Most managers, however, have both lungs the same size. I meant to ask why that was but then I dozed off...
Cavertonmanagement,
if you'd like to headhunt me (although I'm currently living in the land of the head hunters!) I should have my S-92 rating by July.
Sadly, I don't have any pointy shoes, though I do have a nicely worn in pair of desert boots if that counts?
If you could match the offer I recently received from Exxon Mobile of 18000 USD per month, that would be fine
if you'd like to headhunt me (although I'm currently living in the land of the head hunters!) I should have my S-92 rating by July.
Sadly, I don't have any pointy shoes, though I do have a nicely worn in pair of desert boots if that counts?
If you could match the offer I recently received from Exxon Mobile of 18000 USD per month, that would be fine
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212man, pm me with your CV, including a photograph, preferably with the desert boots. These do not sound as if they fit in with our executive image, and I think desert boots have rounded toes which makes it extremely difficult to lean forward and not fall over - an essential quality in our growing centre of excellence management team.July may be a little late as our S92 fleet is growing daily and we need people now to be able to keep pace with our fantastic expansion, Nigerian run companies being in the forefront of aviation development. In asking for $18,000 a month I feel you're setting your sights rather low and possibly this shows a lack of self-esteem. You have to realise that I am a very important and rich person, or daddy wouldn't have given me this hugely successful company to run, even with my wondeful training and complete knowledge of everything in aviation. I need other successful, over-acheivers just like me to expand the company (as long as you don't think you're more important than me or daddy - we don't like that and we get very cross and will have you sent away if you try and tell us what to do, because we know everything). Our recent advertisement on the Just Helicopters site should have given you some idea of the excellent salary range we offer, but for a man with S92, we may be willing to offer you £18,005 per month as I understand you know something of our wonderful country and important, exciting companies such as ours. Everything we have is so much more excellent than any other helicopter company. No driving around in dangerous, old Peugeot 504s like Aero - we have exciting, modern, state-of the-art Daewoos, Kias and other excellent cars. No more 7/5 as Bristow offer - we allow you the luxury of a 4 month/1 month contract to fully experience the joy of living in our rich country in luxury apartments with such benefit as generator on the nights when we have bought the fuel for it.Come on over and join our succesful and growing team - it's something that will show you just how different it can be working for a Nigerian company.
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Despite the levity in some of the previous posts, it's obvious that all is very much not well in Nigeria. I hear that another 2 pilots have recently resigned from Bristow and that if the new deal from CHC is not up to expectation, more pilots are likely to resign from Aero, not just ask for transfers. Interestingly, despite the shortage of pilots Aero have, both fixed wing and rotary wing, I hear that one pilot has been 'allowed to go' from the hard-pressed fixed wing fleet, struggling to keep pace with its expansion of services, and even after another 2 resignations, helicopter pilots are being allowed to transfer to other operations. This is fine whilst old aircraft are being retired from the fleet, but when their replacements arrive the crew shortage will surely start to bite. Some of my contacts report that there has been an increase in flying for most pilots as the company struggles to cope with falling numbers. It seems that promises of improved accomodation are either not being fulfilled or are so long in coming that many of the aging pilot workforce are likely to be retired before they happen 
. It's also obvious from what I hear that the old complaint from everyone in Port Harcourt about abominable transport are not being heeded by management, who all drive around in new cars whilst most of the rest of the staff rattle around in extremely old, very dangerous, uncomfortable cars and buses, barely distinguishable from the average taxi. One wonders about the recent accident in Abuja - is a Peugeot 504 from the 1970's really a safe or suitable transport for the 21st century, even if it is well maintained (by Nigerian standards anyway 
). I'm told that CHC have yet to announce details of their pay review due in May, and maybe Bristow will be the first to announce their own new pay deal. Whatever is the case, both companies are likely to see an acceleration in departures from Nigeria unless instead of merely trying to put a cork in the hole in the dyke, they undertake radical repair and rebuilding work - unlikely given the recent history of the 2 companies in Nigeria, where head in the sand seems more the order of the day 
HPB, as far as I know, Caverton continues to spend more than it makes and there's no sign of anything like a shuttle operation in Lagos. They have a few flights to their new riverside heliport in VI (which really looks very nice in the photos I've seen), but nothing like a scheduled shuttle service. They have also recently lost another pilot and if the advert alluded to in the rival forum is anything to go by, they are starting to get more desperate for pilots. However, at the rates they're offering and with a ridiculous touring roster, they're unlikely to attract anyone other than CHC or Bristow rejects. The 'yellow peril' AS350 never seems to have got its advertising contract from MTN and just flies around painted in MTN yellow with no logos. They were rumoured to be getting the former Phillipino Bell 407, but that's now being flown by and for Pan African. I hear rumours that they may be considering selling their original Agusta 109 Power, which is a nice aircraft - but not for Nigeria due to its lack of payload and range with the lack of refuelling facilities. Not sure if it will be so easy to sell after a few yaers out in Nigeria, but I believe it has fairly low hours, so they may recoup some of their outgoings on it. I hear that they no longer man a desk at Port Harcourt International airport and that a number of their staff their have now quit, including their station manager. The recent appointment of some kind of Marketing manager Eastern division does not seem to have made any difference and they are only seen in Port Harcourt fairly infrequently these days.
A number of Aero helicopters have now disappeared, due to being over the maximum age allowable in Nigeria and Brsitow are expanding their operations in Port Harcourt, though they don't seem to have any shiny new aircraft around like CHC. I hear that Bristow's intention is to try and take the helicopter charter market away from Aero, especially now that 'Captain Kobo' has gone. Bristow have recently appointed a new manager to the NAF Base who, unlike most of the new CHC managers, has considerable experience in country and must still have a lot of contacts from his time at Aker Base and Calabar. If anyone can take some business away from Aero, he's the man.
. It's also obvious from what I hear that the old complaint from everyone in Port Harcourt about abominable transport are not being heeded by management, who all drive around in new cars whilst most of the rest of the staff rattle around in extremely old, very dangerous, uncomfortable cars and buses, barely distinguishable from the average taxi. One wonders about the recent accident in Abuja - is a Peugeot 504 from the 1970's really a safe or suitable transport for the 21st century, even if it is well maintained (by Nigerian standards anyway ). I'm told that CHC have yet to announce details of their pay review due in May, and maybe Bristow will be the first to announce their own new pay deal. Whatever is the case, both companies are likely to see an acceleration in departures from Nigeria unless instead of merely trying to put a cork in the hole in the dyke, they undertake radical repair and rebuilding work - unlikely given the recent history of the 2 companies in Nigeria, where head in the sand seems more the order of the day HPB, as far as I know, Caverton continues to spend more than it makes and there's no sign of anything like a shuttle operation in Lagos. They have a few flights to their new riverside heliport in VI (which really looks very nice in the photos I've seen), but nothing like a scheduled shuttle service. They have also recently lost another pilot and if the advert alluded to in the rival forum is anything to go by, they are starting to get more desperate for pilots. However, at the rates they're offering and with a ridiculous touring roster, they're unlikely to attract anyone other than CHC or Bristow rejects. The 'yellow peril' AS350 never seems to have got its advertising contract from MTN and just flies around painted in MTN yellow with no logos. They were rumoured to be getting the former Phillipino Bell 407, but that's now being flown by and for Pan African. I hear rumours that they may be considering selling their original Agusta 109 Power, which is a nice aircraft - but not for Nigeria due to its lack of payload and range with the lack of refuelling facilities. Not sure if it will be so easy to sell after a few yaers out in Nigeria, but I believe it has fairly low hours, so they may recoup some of their outgoings on it. I hear that they no longer man a desk at Port Harcourt International airport and that a number of their staff their have now quit, including their station manager. The recent appointment of some kind of Marketing manager Eastern division does not seem to have made any difference and they are only seen in Port Harcourt fairly infrequently these days.
A number of Aero helicopters have now disappeared, due to being over the maximum age allowable in Nigeria and Brsitow are expanding their operations in Port Harcourt, though they don't seem to have any shiny new aircraft around like CHC. I hear that Bristow's intention is to try and take the helicopter charter market away from Aero, especially now that 'Captain Kobo' has gone. Bristow have recently appointed a new manager to the NAF Base who, unlike most of the new CHC managers, has considerable experience in country and must still have a lot of contacts from his time at Aker Base and Calabar. If anyone can take some business away from Aero, he's the man.
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nigerian's future
Pls guys
be realistic the future of d oil industry for d next 10 years is here
If u don't like it, just resign, d world market is open waiting 4 u
If u can wait small small sorry for u but d 2 giant (bristow and chc) will increase salary (that's why we are here 4) to get more people.
I do know a few guys ready to post on pprune but when it's time to go to management or resign they just wet theyr pants, sorry-o
Just hope the country won't go 4 civil war B4 or after presidential election
just an other day in paradise (compared to sudan)
be realistic the future of d oil industry for d next 10 years is here
If u don't like it, just resign, d world market is open waiting 4 u
If u can wait small small sorry for u but d 2 giant (bristow and chc) will increase salary (that's why we are here 4) to get more people.
I do know a few guys ready to post on pprune but when it's time to go to management or resign they just wet theyr pants, sorry-o
Just hope the country won't go 4 civil war B4 or after presidential election
just an other day in paradise (compared to sudan)
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MM- Caverton Management- That A109 was a great machine. But I fear it's doomed because of it's recent history and location! The maharaj of India use to buzz around Europe in it! How are the maint crew? Still the original?
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Helipolardisting,
The 2 original engineers still hanging on in there - guess they haven't been shafted........ yet
Ops director now an American who keeps a very, very low profile, Chief Pilot an ex- ACN national and his deputy same-oh. Nobody really to stand up to or disagree with the 'millionaire playboy' 
. Their base in PH seems to be partly-closed after their station manager there quit and went to Virgin. It just opens up on the occasional day they have a flight into PH.
The 2 original engineers still hanging on in there - guess they haven't been shafted........ yet
Ops director now an American who keeps a very, very low profile, Chief Pilot an ex- ACN national and his deputy same-oh. Nobody really to stand up to or disagree with the 'millionaire playboy' . Their base in PH seems to be partly-closed after their station manager there quit and went to Virgin. It just opens up on the occasional day they have a flight into PH.
I Try To Be Good !!
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What's Up ?
Not been here long, still getting over the "culture shock" everyone warned me about, but apart from the traffic jams Nigeria's OK as a whole.
Heard (and read) all the horror stories, seems to me the place is very much what you make it. I came with an open mind and I haven't been too disappointed yet.
Just MHO.
Heard (and read) all the horror stories, seems to me the place is very much what you make it. I came with an open mind and I haven't been too disappointed yet.
Just MHO.
Join Date: Feb 2004
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bellboy,
Don't pack anything yet, apart from all the helicopters, theo only thing flying around here is rumours
Lots of speculation, but CHC are also going for a change to their pay structure, so whatever is finally decided may take a while to filter down to the troops.
In Nigeria the main thing seems to be whether there will be any change to the incentive pay or extended tour pay as the latest figure being bandied about is a shortage of 25 pilots in Aero rotary division - ouch! Bristow have much the same problems, and doubtless the management of the two companies will be wondering just what the other is about to do, and just what they have to do to get new people to come, and those here to stay. Pilots aren't migrating between the two companies now, they're just migrating. Big personal issues for CHC guys seem to be internet, standard of the housing and transport and lack of anything happening since CHC took over. Bristow guys seem to be interested in overall pay and equal time roster to match CHC. The next 2 months will probably decide how many aircraft may be grounded a few months down the road
Don't pack anything yet, apart from all the helicopters, theo only thing flying around here is rumours
Lots of speculation, but CHC are also going for a change to their pay structure, so whatever is finally decided may take a while to filter down to the troops. In Nigeria the main thing seems to be whether there will be any change to the incentive pay or extended tour pay as the latest figure being bandied about is a shortage of 25 pilots in Aero rotary division - ouch! Bristow have much the same problems, and doubtless the management of the two companies will be wondering just what the other is about to do, and just what they have to do to get new people to come, and those here to stay. Pilots aren't migrating between the two companies now, they're just migrating. Big personal issues for CHC guys seem to be internet, standard of the housing and transport and lack of anything happening since CHC took over. Bristow guys seem to be interested in overall pay and equal time roster to match CHC. The next 2 months will probably decide how many aircraft may be grounded a few months down the road
GMIA,
If you are on your first couple of tours....you don't have the time in country yet to accurately appreciate the situation. It takes a while before the empty promises pile up and the "horror" visits itself upon you. After a few of those events occur.....let us know how you are getting along then.
Your positive attitude will help out but over time it will need some reviving. Key issue...how long you expect to be in Nigeria? The rest of your flying career? That prospect alone should ruin your morale instantly. The company does have a rotation plan so you only spend a few years in "bad" locations, right? Then they rotate you to a "good" place?
If you are on your first couple of tours....you don't have the time in country yet to accurately appreciate the situation. It takes a while before the empty promises pile up and the "horror" visits itself upon you. After a few of those events occur.....let us know how you are getting along then.
Your positive attitude will help out but over time it will need some reviving. Key issue...how long you expect to be in Nigeria? The rest of your flying career? That prospect alone should ruin your morale instantly. The company does have a rotation plan so you only spend a few years in "bad" locations, right? Then they rotate you to a "good" place?
Join Date: Oct 2004
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GMIA
Good attitude, however one suspects that you have not yet met many Mr Adekunles?
Actually, I quite liked Nigeria and its people; it's the devious management of the time that I did not particularly care for. Enjoy your stay.
NC43
Good attitude, however one suspects that you have not yet met many Mr Adekunles?
Actually, I quite liked Nigeria and its people; it's the devious management of the time that I did not particularly care for. Enjoy your stay.
NC43
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Devious management of which time mr nutcracker? I think management of now is the most devious ever. Have you met the Big Belge? He and the local crooked charlie are tying the new Canadian management very finely and at the same time screwing all the national and expatriates staffs. One day, when all their schemes lead to the falldown of aero, maybe the truth will emerge - but by then it will be too late. They will have parted with their monies and everyone else will still be in the same state of now
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A G
Thanks for that! I do not know any of the personalities you refer to...the time I refer to was between ten and a few years ago.
NC43
Originally Posted by alghaita ganga
Devious management of which time mr nutcracker? I think management of now is the most devious ever.
NC43
Despite the house cleaning a while back....some of the usual suspects still linger on in Lagos, NC43. It seems they used an old broom instead of a new issue one.
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Sasless,
Thanks for the advice, you're right about doing some time. It was just my first impression. Having read through the whole thread I see some very jaded and cynical posts. I guess time will tell.
I plan on two years here and then I'll move on. If that means resignation instead of transfer then so be it. Two years in one place anywhere is long enough for me. If I wanted longer I'd have gone fixed wing and joined an airline !!
Thanks for the advice, you're right about doing some time. It was just my first impression. Having read through the whole thread I see some very jaded and cynical posts. I guess time will tell.
I plan on two years here and then I'll move on. If that means resignation instead of transfer then so be it. Two years in one place anywhere is long enough for me. If I wanted longer I'd have gone fixed wing and joined an airline !!
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Anyone know if there is any aircrew involved?
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=99967
Foreign oil workers kidnapped in Nigeria
Thursday May 11 23:56 AEST
At least two foreign oil workers, including one Italian, were kidnapped from a car under police escort in Nigeria's oil capital Port Harcourt on Thursday, a day after a US oil executive was shot dead in the same city.
A militant group waging a five-month-old campaign of attacks against the industry said it was not involved in the abduction, which police and oil industry sources attributed to a community dispute.
Industry sources said the foreigners were employees of Italian oil contractor Saipem and the Italian Foreign Ministry said they included at least one Italian national.
Industry sources originally said three foreigners were taken, but a US government security alert quoted a Saipem official as saying there were only two, the industry source said.
Police said one suspected kidnapper had been arrested.
"A group of expatriates were kidnapped in Port Harcourt city. They had mobile (armed) police escort, but the kidnappers got the mobile police out of the car and kidnapped the expatriates," an oil industry source said, asking not to be named because of his company's policy.
Rivers State Police Commissioner Samuel Agbetuyi said reports of the kidnapping were still sketchy. Between one and three expatriates were involved, but there were no reports of casualties, he said.
"One of those who did it has been arrested," he told Reuters by telephone.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), whose attacks against the world's eighth largest oil exporter have cut output by a quarter, told Reuters by email that they were not responsible.
Police and industry sources attributed it to a community problem. An oil industry source said talks were already under way with the community to secure their release.
Kidnapping is a fairly common method used by impoverished villages in the lawless delta, suffering neglect from their own government, to extract benefits or cash from oil companies.
On Wednesday a gunman on a motorcycle shot dead a U.S. citizen working for Texan oil services company Baker Hughes in an apparently planned assassination. Diplomatic and oil industry sources said the killing was probably an isolated incident related to a work dispute.
Port Harcourt is the largest city in the Niger Delta, which pumps all of Nigeria's oil, and several multinationals have major offices there, including Royal Dutch Shell and Agip.
The city suffers from sporadic outbreaks of bloody gang violence and turf wars between rival ethnic groups, and there have been several deadly armed robberies recently.
The kidnapping and killing add to a rising trend of violent crime and communal unrest in the vast wetlands region.
Many delta inhabitants feel cheated out of the riches being pumped from their tribal lands. Neglect and rampant corruption have eroded trust in government, while communal rivalries and abuses by the military have fuelled the rise of well-armed community militias.
They have taken advantage of the absence of law and order to engage in large-scale theft of crude oil, extortion, blackmail and kidnapping against oil companies, which rely on ill-equipped and poorly trained police and military to protect them.
Thursday May 11 23:56 AEST
At least two foreign oil workers, including one Italian, were kidnapped from a car under police escort in Nigeria's oil capital Port Harcourt on Thursday, a day after a US oil executive was shot dead in the same city.
A militant group waging a five-month-old campaign of attacks against the industry said it was not involved in the abduction, which police and oil industry sources attributed to a community dispute.
Industry sources said the foreigners were employees of Italian oil contractor Saipem and the Italian Foreign Ministry said they included at least one Italian national.
Industry sources originally said three foreigners were taken, but a US government security alert quoted a Saipem official as saying there were only two, the industry source said.
Police said one suspected kidnapper had been arrested.
"A group of expatriates were kidnapped in Port Harcourt city. They had mobile (armed) police escort, but the kidnappers got the mobile police out of the car and kidnapped the expatriates," an oil industry source said, asking not to be named because of his company's policy.
Rivers State Police Commissioner Samuel Agbetuyi said reports of the kidnapping were still sketchy. Between one and three expatriates were involved, but there were no reports of casualties, he said.
"One of those who did it has been arrested," he told Reuters by telephone.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), whose attacks against the world's eighth largest oil exporter have cut output by a quarter, told Reuters by email that they were not responsible.
Police and industry sources attributed it to a community problem. An oil industry source said talks were already under way with the community to secure their release.
Kidnapping is a fairly common method used by impoverished villages in the lawless delta, suffering neglect from their own government, to extract benefits or cash from oil companies.
On Wednesday a gunman on a motorcycle shot dead a U.S. citizen working for Texan oil services company Baker Hughes in an apparently planned assassination. Diplomatic and oil industry sources said the killing was probably an isolated incident related to a work dispute.
Port Harcourt is the largest city in the Niger Delta, which pumps all of Nigeria's oil, and several multinationals have major offices there, including Royal Dutch Shell and Agip.
The city suffers from sporadic outbreaks of bloody gang violence and turf wars between rival ethnic groups, and there have been several deadly armed robberies recently.
The kidnapping and killing add to a rising trend of violent crime and communal unrest in the vast wetlands region.
Many delta inhabitants feel cheated out of the riches being pumped from their tribal lands. Neglect and rampant corruption have eroded trust in government, while communal rivalries and abuses by the military have fuelled the rise of well-armed community militias.
They have taken advantage of the absence of law and order to engage in large-scale theft of crude oil, extortion, blackmail and kidnapping against oil companies, which rely on ill-equipped and poorly trained police and military to protect them.