What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
At least someone is prepared to do something about security issues!
Maybe this will rub off on the pilots and engineers in Nigeria?
Nigerian oil unions launch strike over security fears
By KATHARINE HOURELD
Associated Press
LAGOS, Nigeria -- Oil unions launched a three-day strike today over worsening security in an oil-rich region on Nigeria as Chevron confirmed the death of one subcontractor and injuries to two others there.
The country's two biggest petroleum industry unions had called the action to protest the death of another worker, killed three weeks ago in a shoot-out between government forces and militants amid rising violence in the Niger Delta. It began Wednesday, with company and union officials saying staff were staying home.
Chevron Corp. spokesman Femi Odumabo had no immediate comment on whether the strike would affect oil production. But a London-based spokeswoman for Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Nigeria's biggest producer, said it was unlikely production would be greatly affected.
"Arrangements have been made to reduce the impact of the strike on production, loading and the provision of essential services," said Eurwen Thomas.
The oil unions have held strikes before without a big impact on production or exports.
Nigeria is Africa's biggest producer of crude and the fifth-largest supplier of oil to the United States. Kidnappings and militant attacks in the southern Niger Delta region, where most crude is pumped, have cut production by nearly 900,000 barrels per day this year so far, helping send crude prices to historical highs.
On Tuesday, gunmen attacked a boat carrying Chevron-affiliated workers in the waterways of the oil-rich southern Niger Delta, and one worker died, labor union officials said.
Chevron, which is based in San Ramon, Calif., confirmed the death Wednesday and said two others were injured. Odumabo said one contract staffer died on a supply boat.
Wednesday's strike was called after Royal Dutch Shell employee Nelson Ujeya was killed in a shoot-out between militants and government forces three weeks ago. He had been held hostage in a community dispute for nearly a month when local leaders and militants intervened to free him. Twelve people died when the military opened fire on the boat carrying him to freedom.
Peter Akpatason, the head of the blue-collar workers union, said his bloc and the white-collar union, which have a joint membership of around 20,000 Nigerians, would look to see if their concerns over security were being taken seriously before deciding on further action.
———————
Nigerian oil unions launch strike over security fears
By KATHARINE HOURELD
Associated Press
LAGOS, Nigeria -- Oil unions launched a three-day strike today over worsening security in an oil-rich region on Nigeria as Chevron confirmed the death of one subcontractor and injuries to two others there.
The country's two biggest petroleum industry unions had called the action to protest the death of another worker, killed three weeks ago in a shoot-out between government forces and militants amid rising violence in the Niger Delta. It began Wednesday, with company and union officials saying staff were staying home.
Chevron Corp. spokesman Femi Odumabo had no immediate comment on whether the strike would affect oil production. But a London-based spokeswoman for Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Nigeria's biggest producer, said it was unlikely production would be greatly affected.
"Arrangements have been made to reduce the impact of the strike on production, loading and the provision of essential services," said Eurwen Thomas.
The oil unions have held strikes before without a big impact on production or exports.
Nigeria is Africa's biggest producer of crude and the fifth-largest supplier of oil to the United States. Kidnappings and militant attacks in the southern Niger Delta region, where most crude is pumped, have cut production by nearly 900,000 barrels per day this year so far, helping send crude prices to historical highs.
On Tuesday, gunmen attacked a boat carrying Chevron-affiliated workers in the waterways of the oil-rich southern Niger Delta, and one worker died, labor union officials said.
Chevron, which is based in San Ramon, Calif., confirmed the death Wednesday and said two others were injured. Odumabo said one contract staffer died on a supply boat.
Wednesday's strike was called after Royal Dutch Shell employee Nelson Ujeya was killed in a shoot-out between militants and government forces three weeks ago. He had been held hostage in a community dispute for nearly a month when local leaders and militants intervened to free him. Twelve people died when the military opened fire on the boat carrying him to freedom.
Peter Akpatason, the head of the blue-collar workers union, said his bloc and the white-collar union, which have a joint membership of around 20,000 Nigerians, would look to see if their concerns over security were being taken seriously before deciding on further action.
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Thridle, that middle eastern sun is fuddling your brain: "up to Opukushi" ? I thought convention was that South was down
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Mama P,
You may be talking a bit tongue in cheek - or not . But you're right, it's very noticeable that there are a lot of new guys on the patch in Port Harcourt, and many of them don't really know the area. Both Bristow and CHC seem to be releasing pilots as commanders before they're really familiar with the area here - probably because they're both short of crews and in CHC's case, because they also have lots of new co-pilots. It's a worrying trend as far as personal safety goes, particularly when coupled with the vastly increased amount of traffic at the NAF Base (which itself is a much more dangerous place now the NAF will only allow the inadequate taxiway to be used for helicopter operations - except, of course, for their own helicopters 
). When you add to that some of the new helicopters from Caverton or OAS, some of whose pilots seem to barely know anything about operating in this country and blunder around barely aware of where they are and reporting their positions horrendously incorrectly - a disaster is just waiting to happen here; it's only a matter of time. The sooner the 2 majors just seize the bull by the horns and install TCAS in all helicopters the better - at least then the position of the barely competent will be a bit more apparent to all (provided they've remembered to turn on their transponders 
. Our good luck can't hold up for ever and the odds against us are constantly increasing with some of these dangerous operators now in the field 
You may be talking a bit tongue in cheek - or not
. But you're right, it's very noticeable that there are a lot of new guys on the patch in Port Harcourt, and many of them don't really know the area. Both Bristow and CHC seem to be releasing pilots as commanders before they're really familiar with the area here - probably because they're both short of crews and in CHC's case, because they also have lots of new co-pilots. It's a worrying trend as far as personal safety goes, particularly when coupled with the vastly increased amount of traffic at the NAF Base (which itself is a much more dangerous place now the NAF will only allow the inadequate taxiway to be used for helicopter operations - except, of course, for their own helicopters ). When you add to that some of the new helicopters from Caverton or OAS, some of whose pilots seem to barely know anything about operating in this country and blunder around barely aware of where they are and reporting their positions horrendously incorrectly - a disaster is just waiting to happen here; it's only a matter of time. The sooner the 2 majors just seize the bull by the horns and install TCAS in all helicopters the better - at least then the position of the barely competent will be a bit more apparent to all (provided they've remembered to turn on their transponders . Our good luck can't hold up for ever and the odds against us are constantly increasing with some of these dangerous operators now in the field
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In Defense of TOD
212 man, with respect to my learned brothers. The origins of 'up' and 'Down' as in: "Going up to London for the weekend", are thought to originate from the the days of laying the railway line. Everything away from Londinuim would be 'down the line' etc. Working on the assumption of Lagos being the former capital (even using Abuja draws the same result); I'm afraid TOD would be correct (don't tell him though, as it'll only make him bigger in the noddle department).
"And I was treated to a close inspection of the Opukushi mast" Has to be one of Boots' most immortal lines from that era! To those outside the jape, I apologise.
Doc
"And I was treated to a close inspection of the Opukushi mast" Has to be one of Boots' most immortal lines from that era! To those outside the jape, I apologise.
Doc
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Coffin nails and dust biting
I hear on the vine that another Bristow Training Captain has resigned. There must be green grass on the other side of some fence. Ah yes... not a Nigerian fence just the rest of the wide, wide world. The sound of blossoming opportunities elsewhere is deafening. Getting a bit of a gardening theme going here Vines, grass, blossoms etc must be too much STAR.
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Amazing tales from the twilight zone.
Gentlemen
Lately, I've been checking this thread pretty much every day. Some of the postings are hilarious and amusing. Others give reason for serious consern about safety and work environment.
Quite a few pilots seem to stick around Nigeria, even when all the pro's and con's have been discussed to pieces. To me, the following alternatives give reasons why:
1. Some of you exaggerate wildly about how bad it is, because you are having a string of grumpy, bad days.
2. You are stuck because you are unable to get a position in Europe. In the North Sea, we are short of pilots both in the UK and Norway. We keep on hiring, but still have a long way to go. Perhaps you do not have work permits for the EU region? Perhaps you do not like offshore flying in the North Sea?
3. You like it in Nigeria, despite the bad stuff.
One thing seems fairly certain: The only way to gently start down the road towards improvement of terms and conditions is to establish a proper pilots union.
Regards from Norway
Lately, I've been checking this thread pretty much every day. Some of the postings are hilarious and amusing. Others give reason for serious consern about safety and work environment.
Quite a few pilots seem to stick around Nigeria, even when all the pro's and con's have been discussed to pieces. To me, the following alternatives give reasons why:
1. Some of you exaggerate wildly about how bad it is, because you are having a string of grumpy, bad days.
2. You are stuck because you are unable to get a position in Europe. In the North Sea, we are short of pilots both in the UK and Norway. We keep on hiring, but still have a long way to go. Perhaps you do not have work permits for the EU region? Perhaps you do not like offshore flying in the North Sea?
3. You like it in Nigeria, despite the bad stuff.
One thing seems fairly certain: The only way to gently start down the road towards improvement of terms and conditions is to establish a proper pilots union.
Regards from Norway
CHC & P,
to answer some of your points (as I see it).
Bear in mind, also, that not every one wants to have to live where they work. Being on a touring operation gives you the option to pretty much live where you want, rather than having to live in Aberdeen or Bergen etc.
On your specific points:
1. I would say that the facts are facts, and I don't see anyone making exagerations. What you are seeing though is the condensing of many people's exeperiences from over a long period. If you are the unfortunate soul in the mininbus that gets sprayed with submachine gun fire, you will obviously view things differently to the guys that weren't. If you are one of the unfortunate souls who had their helicopters attacked and became a hostage, you will obviously have a different view than the others. So it goes on.
The operations are all different and present different challenges. If you only work on one operation you will have a different perspective on 'life in Nigeria' to guys who work on the other operations, or the other companies.
2. Some of those points are true. Many of the pilots (now) don't have JAR licences and so cannot work for the big North Sea operators. I'm not sure about the work permit situation, but certainly the majority are no longer European. You will also find that intra-company movement back to European operations is difficult, because the International divisions don't want to lose pilots!
3. Well, some pilots do enjoy working there!
to answer some of your points (as I see it).
Bear in mind, also, that not every one wants to have to live where they work. Being on a touring operation gives you the option to pretty much live where you want, rather than having to live in Aberdeen or Bergen etc.
On your specific points:
1. I would say that the facts are facts, and I don't see anyone making exagerations. What you are seeing though is the condensing of many people's exeperiences from over a long period. If you are the unfortunate soul in the mininbus that gets sprayed with submachine gun fire, you will obviously view things differently to the guys that weren't. If you are one of the unfortunate souls who had their helicopters attacked and became a hostage, you will obviously have a different view than the others. So it goes on.
The operations are all different and present different challenges. If you only work on one operation you will have a different perspective on 'life in Nigeria' to guys who work on the other operations, or the other companies.
2. Some of those points are true. Many of the pilots (now) don't have JAR licences and so cannot work for the big North Sea operators. I'm not sure about the work permit situation, but certainly the majority are no longer European. You will also find that intra-company movement back to European operations is difficult, because the International divisions don't want to lose pilots!
3. Well, some pilots do enjoy working there!
Ah, 212man, but for a bit of advance thinking and investment in the people, rather than bonuses for the high and mighty, the pilots would still be able to move about the company. Granted there was a time when Nigeria was not all that bad but those days are long gone.
We used to delight in seeing the fair haired show up...do a year or so...then off to nice places. One could even cut down a set of power lines on an airtest...then get sent to Trinidad as a punishment while non-Brits got to linger...linger....linger....in Paradise.
For those who like to maintain the resemblence of a normal life....indefinite tours in Nigeria can become unbearable after a while. Compound that with the ****ty attitude of the management and it became the thing not to do.
As long as one is benefiting from the secret handshake....life has some attraction in Nigeria for Bristow.
We used to delight in seeing the fair haired show up...do a year or so...then off to nice places. One could even cut down a set of power lines on an airtest...then get sent to Trinidad as a punishment while non-Brits got to linger...linger....linger....in Paradise.
For those who like to maintain the resemblence of a normal life....indefinite tours in Nigeria can become unbearable after a while. Compound that with the ****ty attitude of the management and it became the thing not to do.
As long as one is benefiting from the secret handshake....life has some attraction in Nigeria for Bristow.
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Don't make it worse...
than it was, 212man! The Isolo Gun Club had their AK-47 set on 'semi-automatic' that Monday morning when they pimped our ride. What with the cost of ammunition, I guess they were being economical. And lucky for us, they hadn't splashed out on shooting lessons either, so that many of the holes were rather high on the mini-bus.
Muzzle-rise is a known problem to experienced AK-47 users. If they had asked politely I could have explained that to them, but there was so little time. To give any self-respecting gun thug an AK and a mini-bus to shoot at just a few feet off... how many of its passengers could he kill? Umm, ALL of them? As it was, we had 'just' two guys wounded and the rest of us more or less badly frightened but that was mostly down to lousy marksmanship, I think.
Not to worry, though! As was carefully pointed out to me by Management, the incident was a one-off, (until the next time, at least). Between the Kevlar curtains and the two-way radio every eventuality has been taken care of. My crazy idea of sourcing old American Embassy vehicles with real Kevlar armour was discarded out of hand as NTOH (Not Thought Of Here).
I was feeling quite chipper about the whole thing, having gotten away with a bullet whizzing through the adjacent headrest while I was busy giving my shoes a very close inspection. There was some lint on my upper back, afterwards but what of that?
On my next ride back from Lagos airport, on the way in for a tour I was sat one row back in that same mini-bus when I noticed a tiny rip in the seatback. On closer inspection it seemed to have been made by a bullet on about the level of my upper chest and headed my way. Ah, so that was where that lint came from!
Then someone told me about another bullet they dug out about where my ankles would have been if I hadn't had my feet up on the wheelhousing. So make that '3 out of 3' for luck that day.
I am not terribly superstitious but I do feel as if that day I really had used up all of my Nigerian luck. I miss the cheap abuse from you 'rotorheads,' assuming that passes for friendship, and I miss the big bucks, but that's about it. I think I shall do well to try my luck elsewhere.
All the best to those of you who have decided to stick it out, and be careful!
Muzzle-rise is a known problem to experienced AK-47 users. If they had asked politely I could have explained that to them, but there was so little time. To give any self-respecting gun thug an AK and a mini-bus to shoot at just a few feet off... how many of its passengers could he kill? Umm, ALL of them? As it was, we had 'just' two guys wounded and the rest of us more or less badly frightened but that was mostly down to lousy marksmanship, I think.
Not to worry, though! As was carefully pointed out to me by Management, the incident was a one-off, (until the next time, at least). Between the Kevlar curtains and the two-way radio every eventuality has been taken care of. My crazy idea of sourcing old American Embassy vehicles with real Kevlar armour was discarded out of hand as NTOH (Not Thought Of Here).
I was feeling quite chipper about the whole thing, having gotten away with a bullet whizzing through the adjacent headrest while I was busy giving my shoes a very close inspection. There was some lint on my upper back, afterwards but what of that?
On my next ride back from Lagos airport, on the way in for a tour I was sat one row back in that same mini-bus when I noticed a tiny rip in the seatback. On closer inspection it seemed to have been made by a bullet on about the level of my upper chest and headed my way. Ah, so that was where that lint came from!
Then someone told me about another bullet they dug out about where my ankles would have been if I hadn't had my feet up on the wheelhousing. So make that '3 out of 3' for luck that day.
I am not terribly superstitious but I do feel as if that day I really had used up all of my Nigerian luck. I miss the cheap abuse from you 'rotorheads,' assuming that passes for friendship, and I miss the big bucks, but that's about it. I think I shall do well to try my luck elsewhere.
All the best to those of you who have decided to stick it out, and be careful!
There must be an escape tunnel out of Nigeria because heard at least one pilot managed to transfer back to the North Sea recently and also a tunnel towards Aussie land (with loads of escapees).
Bristow’s should have kept the detachments to Nigeria like it was in the old days: a 2 year detachment and then back to the North Sea if one wanted, bet there would be still “fair haired” ones , as SASless calls them, willing to do a couple years.
Just read Bristow International won a contract in Libya, bet there will no SVN’s on the boards in Nigeria for these positions.
Chucks: missed the Isolo Gun Club outing, glad I did because even badly trained shooters hit their targets some day and was told Bristow uses a bigger bus these days (without Kevlar curtains but with safety belts) as to give the Isolo Gun Club a greater chance to hit their target next time.
Greetings
Finalchecksplease
Bristow’s should have kept the detachments to Nigeria like it was in the old days: a 2 year detachment and then back to the North Sea if one wanted, bet there would be still “fair haired” ones , as SASless calls them, willing to do a couple years.
Just read Bristow International won a contract in Libya, bet there will no SVN’s on the boards in Nigeria for these positions.
Chucks: missed the Isolo Gun Club outing, glad I did because even badly trained shooters hit their targets some day and was told Bristow uses a bigger bus these days (without Kevlar curtains but with safety belts) as to give the Isolo Gun Club a greater chance to hit their target next time.
Greetings
Finalchecksplease
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chc&proud
Just to make things clear: I am a chc pilot
According to your post, I understand you never came in Port Harcourt, have you?
Just come and fly in Port Harcourt area for a couple of tours and you will understand.
Come and enjoy the nice sunny weather (especially during rainy season) with no TCAS, no radar coverage, useless ATC..., with about 100 helicopters movement per day
Come and have a look at our nice ops centre called Charlie Papa, compare to your ops centre in Stavanger we are somewhere between the stone age and the iron age
I can't count anymore how many pilots came here and resign at the end of the first tour, and the reason was not the food quality served daily
I remember the first few pilots send here by the company, they never came back, WHY?
I won't loose my time talking about security problems, kidnapping, just have a look on www.oyibosonline.com
But keep in mind if people complain there must be a reason(s). I choose to come here and I can resign anytime, yes it's possible to enjoy it here, I don't want to work or live in sterilized tasteless Europe, I like exotic places.
Enjoy the North Sea weather
According to your post, I understand you never came in Port Harcourt, have you?
Just come and fly in Port Harcourt area for a couple of tours and you will understand.
Come and enjoy the nice sunny weather (especially during rainy season) with no TCAS, no radar coverage, useless ATC..., with about 100 helicopters movement per day
Come and have a look at our nice ops centre called Charlie Papa, compare to your ops centre in Stavanger we are somewhere between the stone age and the iron age
I can't count anymore how many pilots came here and resign at the end of the first tour, and the reason was not the food quality served daily
I remember the first few pilots send here by the company, they never came back, WHY?
I won't loose my time talking about security problems, kidnapping, just have a look on www.oyibosonline.com
But keep in mind if people complain there must be a reason(s). I choose to come here and I can resign anytime, yes it's possible to enjoy it here, I don't want to work or live in sterilized tasteless Europe, I like exotic places.
Enjoy the North Sea weather
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chc&proud
I forget to give you one link
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_928.html
This is an independant and reliable source
Cheers, it's gulder time
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_928.html
This is an independant and reliable source
Cheers, it's gulder time
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Dear Mr Chucks
I'm still frantically trying to work-out your real identity from your cunning nom de plume.
Yes you tell a good story; so real is the image in my minds-eye that I have this picture of a thin 'blonde' gentleman standing (only ever standing) adjacent to a large African hardwood bartop looking a little stained and worn with age (the bartop that is!), surrounded by a motley looking audience from different cultures and backgrounds, all held by the glinting eye and stiletto dry wit of the raconteur. He sips at his soda (tinged with Angostura), and dryly, laconically slips seamlessly into the next wonderfully funny tale. As beautifully told as any Wagnerian or Mozart opera, equally oblique at times, equally entertaining (if you like that kind of tosh). Ah the minds-eye... No doubt I have is all wrong, are you that very fat guy with the extremely red neck, and bad breath, that used to work in Lagos?
Hail the storyteller, whomsoever that masked man really is.
Prost!
Doc
Yes you tell a good story; so real is the image in my minds-eye that I have this picture of a thin 'blonde' gentleman standing (only ever standing) adjacent to a large African hardwood bartop looking a little stained and worn with age (the bartop that is!), surrounded by a motley looking audience from different cultures and backgrounds, all held by the glinting eye and stiletto dry wit of the raconteur. He sips at his soda (tinged with Angostura), and dryly, laconically slips seamlessly into the next wonderfully funny tale. As beautifully told as any Wagnerian or Mozart opera, equally oblique at times, equally entertaining (if you like that kind of tosh). Ah the minds-eye... No doubt I have is all wrong, are you that very fat guy with the extremely red neck, and bad breath, that used to work in Lagos?
Hail the storyteller, whomsoever that masked man really is.
Prost!
Doc
right on "froggy" if we are where we are it's normally because of our own choice....I believe that despite the picture drawn on Nigeria conditions (living, ops, weather) you still like it, as a matter of fact, very little to compare with for instance squirrel shuttling on the French Riviera. But why then so many of you keep singing their blues ? tears,sorrow and noises of slave chains overfrlow my coputer as soon as I open this thread....I suggest to rename it :
"in the cotton fields of West Africa" Indeed, don't you find,the "what's new" a bit obsolete now ?
"in the cotton fields of West Africa" Indeed, don't you find,the "what's new" a bit obsolete now ?
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cpt
I agree” what’s new in West Africa” is a bit obsolete; it should be called “what’s new in Nigerian Paradise”
I have done this stupid shuttle work on the French Riviera few years ago, I gave up after two weeks, I could have made more money driving a city bus (with less working hours).
But the picture drawn on Nigeria conditions (living, ops, weather) is not a picture, that’s reality, otherwise there is no fun being there
We don’t hear anything from other western African countries.
Hey people from Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Angola… please wake up. We want to hear from you guys. looks like chc guys are too afraid to post anything; are u afraid of those 15 days notice
(i am not talking about genuine old aero guys)
At least everyday I laugh when I read “ So Whats Wrong With Bristows Mauritanian Operation “ please post some more if u are not
Safe flight, for me it’s time to go to bed ooooooo
Abeg ooooooo, too many w*****y & coke oooooooo
don’t tell management oooooo
Hopefully not working tomorrow
By the way, please chc&proud, I ‘ll be very pleased to have your comments
I agree” what’s new in West Africa” is a bit obsolete; it should be called “what’s new in Nigerian Paradise”
I have done this stupid shuttle work on the French Riviera few years ago, I gave up after two weeks, I could have made more money driving a city bus (with less working hours).
But the picture drawn on Nigeria conditions (living, ops, weather) is not a picture, that’s reality, otherwise there is no fun being there
We don’t hear anything from other western African countries.
Hey people from Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Angola… please wake up. We want to hear from you guys. looks like chc guys are too afraid to post anything; are u afraid of those 15 days notice
(i am not talking about genuine old aero guys) At least everyday I laugh when I read “ So Whats Wrong With Bristows Mauritanian Operation “ please post some more if u are not
Safe flight, for me it’s time to go to bed ooooooo
Abeg ooooooo, too many w*****y & coke oooooooo
don’t tell management oooooo
Hopefully not working tomorrow
By the way, please chc&proud, I ‘ll be very pleased to have your comments
Last edited by froggy_pilot; 23rd Sep 2006 at 21:27. Reason: forget something
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Simple solutions to uncomplicated challenges.
I believe the following to be true:
The list could be longer, of course, but my comments are meant to keep things simple.
I suggest you get in touch with the Health, Safety and Environment representatives responsible for Nigeria. I do know that Vancouver is focusing on HSE lately. I'm certain they will provide you with the necessary assistance to deal with the matters at hand.
All you need is to copy the standard that is used by the European and US oil companies when they send personell to Nigeria, right?
In Norway this would have been a matter for the pilot HSE representatives, the pilot union and management to sort out. I have no doubt in my mind that all outstanding issues relating to the above would have been sorted out in an expedient manner.
- The operators do not seem to deal in a professional way with the various challenges involved in having personell stationed in Nigeria
- Personell security does not seem to have been taken care of properly.
- Accommodation seem to be sub standard.
The list could be longer, of course, but my comments are meant to keep things simple.
I suggest you get in touch with the Health, Safety and Environment representatives responsible for Nigeria. I do know that Vancouver is focusing on HSE lately. I'm certain they will provide you with the necessary assistance to deal with the matters at hand.
All you need is to copy the standard that is used by the European and US oil companies when they send personell to Nigeria, right?
In Norway this would have been a matter for the pilot HSE representatives, the pilot union and management to sort out. I have no doubt in my mind that all outstanding issues relating to the above would have been sorted out in an expedient manner.
HSE in Nigeria? Yeah, Right! About as useful as hogs on roller skates.
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HSE - silly concept?
I sense animosity, anger or frustration directed at the "silly" concept of HSE?
That is sad, considering that the customers organisations increasingly take HSE very seriously, and so do all of us in the Norwegian sector. Using the correct communication tools inside the system it's easy to see how working conditions in Nigeria could improve significantly.
Staying in touch with customer representatives who are familiar with the region, I know they go to some length to take care of their people in the field.
The problem for the employees of the helicopter operators in Nigeria seems to be that they have no formal voice in the system.
A cooperative effort in Norway, based on factors related to HSE led to the introduction of the S92. By May next year a total of at least 9 AC will be flying in Norway. In addition air condition was introduced on 1 new L2.
The parties cooperating are:
* The oil companies
* The offshore oil workers unions
* NALPA
* The oil companies national association
* N-CAA
The same cooperative effort have also in part led to the introduction of controlled airspace, radar, improved safety equipment and training.
It seems to me the only way forward for the guys and girls in Nigeria is to join hands, the same way the vast majority of people in CHC Europe, Bristows etc. have done.
That is sad, considering that the customers organisations increasingly take HSE very seriously, and so do all of us in the Norwegian sector. Using the correct communication tools inside the system it's easy to see how working conditions in Nigeria could improve significantly.
Staying in touch with customer representatives who are familiar with the region, I know they go to some length to take care of their people in the field.
The problem for the employees of the helicopter operators in Nigeria seems to be that they have no formal voice in the system.
A cooperative effort in Norway, based on factors related to HSE led to the introduction of the S92. By May next year a total of at least 9 AC will be flying in Norway. In addition air condition was introduced on 1 new L2.
The parties cooperating are:
* The oil companies
* The offshore oil workers unions
* NALPA
* The oil companies national association
* N-CAA
The same cooperative effort have also in part led to the introduction of controlled airspace, radar, improved safety equipment and training.
It seems to me the only way forward for the guys and girls in Nigeria is to join hands, the same way the vast majority of people in CHC Europe, Bristows etc. have done.