What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
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Well I can only hope its better than the too quote the HR man SM at Redhill "Generous 
one they offer me to move to Nigeria".
When the extra months salary which I would have had to work (7 & 5 in Nigeria compared to the 4 & 4 I was doing in Mauritania) was deducted it was worth just over £500 per annum.
Lets see £500 for being shot at, sh*t accommodation and the constant treat of kidnapping. Compared with working with Alain Tyreburst.
Anyone got a coin !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
one they offer me to move to Nigeria".When the extra months salary which I would have had to work (7 & 5 in Nigeria compared to the 4 & 4 I was doing in Mauritania) was deducted it was worth just over £500 per annum.
Lets see £500 for being shot at, sh*t accommodation and the constant treat of kidnapping. Compared with working with Alain Tyreburst.
Anyone got a coin !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
remember living in Eket for Ten years in the era of 'Dink Smith' 'Ed the Head Ducette' and other illumineries ( is that the right word!!), but it sounds as if nothing has changed, my room in Esa Akpan faced the road on the second story of house 2, when the management decided to beef up security downstairs a steel door was recommended but because I lived upstairs an interior style door that you could kick down in one attempt was deemed sufficient for outdside security, this was all of twenty feet away from where the security guards were shot in the kidnapping a while ago, as an engineer I got fed up with having to travel with armed guards to work and fly with Mopol to retrive broken down machines, I left (not by my own design, but we wont go into that(my own fault) now I have been working back in the Middle East for the last six years, I love Nigeria but will not go back to work there, I visited for personal reasons two years ago and enjoyed the time spent there but it was my choice, so my point is when there is 'safe' employment here why work there?
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Tyreburst V Ada - Difficult
Stacey,
Yes Tyreburst is now doing his thing, causing Bristow trouble keeping pilots in Mauritania. Difficult to know which would be worse - working with him again or working for those a**holes where you are . I think I'd prefer Nigeria because at least it's people, not snakes you're watching for - the smiling (or is that sneering) assasin just turns too many people's stomachs.
Dink, unlike Ed and many other luminaries, is still in Eket, but Asa Ekpan has now been abandoned by Bristow. Many of the guys don't think much of the new accomodation either.
UWOT,
7/5 has now finished in Nigeria and as of 1 November Bristow are doing 6/6 (or 8/4), though nobody has any idea of what the deal is yet, because management have yet to divulge it. As MP says, several CHC pilots have decided that if Bristow management is incapable of making a decision in anything less than the gestation period of an elephant, it's probably incapable of anything. CHC management seem to have realised that if they do nothing, they will soon lose a number of pilots to Bristow, but their record in making fast (or meaningful) decisions is probably no better than Bristows. The Tropical Paradise master failed in all his talk of 'blended salary' schemes and CHC pilots still have to claim their pay electronically every month or they just get basic salary. With the internet being what it is in Nigeria, that's not always easy, but BC thinks this paradise is just like Vancouver with palm trees and a few more robbers
Yes Tyreburst is now doing his thing, causing Bristow trouble keeping pilots in Mauritania. Difficult to know which would be worse - working with him again or working for those a**holes where you are
. I think I'd prefer Nigeria because at least it's people, not snakes you're watching for - the smiling (or is that sneering) assasin just turns too many people's stomachs.Dink, unlike Ed and many other luminaries, is still in Eket, but Asa Ekpan has now been abandoned by Bristow. Many of the guys don't think much of the new accomodation either.
UWOT,
7/5 has now finished in Nigeria and as of 1 November Bristow are doing 6/6 (or 8/4), though nobody has any idea of what the deal is yet, because management have yet to divulge it. As MP says, several CHC pilots have decided that if Bristow management is incapable of making a decision in anything less than the gestation period of an elephant, it's probably incapable of anything. CHC management seem to have realised that if they do nothing, they will soon lose a number of pilots to Bristow, but their record in making fast (or meaningful) decisions is probably no better than Bristows. The Tropical Paradise master failed in all his talk of 'blended salary' schemes and CHC pilots still have to claim their pay electronically every month or they just get basic salary. With the internet being what it is in Nigeria, that's not always easy, but BC thinks this paradise is just like Vancouver with palm trees and a few more robbers
Nigerian In Law
Stace,
Are you having a great time in Wonderland ?? Funny old thing, I'm wracking my (small) brain and I can't actually remember much in the way of positive posts or comments about ADA either, especially on the pay front. In fact there are quite a few in the what is now being portrayed as s**t Nigeria who are former employeees there. Don't get me wrong, it is s**t in Nigeria !! Just trying to put things in perspective a bit.
By the way, you still owe me the large bag of prawns out of my freezer from when you stayed in my place. A pint or three would do..........
Cheers,
NEO
Are you having a great time in Wonderland ?? Funny old thing, I'm wracking my (small) brain and I can't actually remember much in the way of positive posts or comments about ADA either, especially on the pay front. In fact there are quite a few in the what is now being portrayed as s**t Nigeria who are former employeees there. Don't get me wrong, it is s**t in Nigeria !! Just trying to put things in perspective a bit.
By the way, you still owe me the large bag of prawns out of my freezer from when you stayed in my place. A pint or three would do..........
Cheers,
NEO
Last edited by Nigerian Expat Outlaw; 8th Dec 2006 at 06:09.
Musket.....you back in PHC? Tell me it ain't so?
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NEO,
I understand Musket and SASless have applied to rejoin as a double pack working back to back on that new 6&6 routine. You'll surely find them a save and yet comfy place to live in (Colditz revisited?). The only thing that is keeping them from jumping on the train is the pending announcement by management regarding the Kobo issue. It'll probably be around July 2007 then.
Or would that be too soon?
I understand Musket and SASless have applied to rejoin as a double pack working back to back on that new 6&6 routine. You'll surely find them a save and yet comfy place to live in (Colditz revisited?). The only thing that is keeping them from jumping on the train is the pending announcement by management regarding the Kobo issue. It'll probably be around July 2007 then.
Or would that be too soon?
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I can hardly wait...
I just need to find someone to do 6/6 with me and I get to come back, too? No?
Jeez, if they let those two misfits back, why not me? No helicopter licence? Well, yes, but, no, but....
This is really a scandal! Never mind that bag of prawns, I have a thousand naira on a bar card in House One, Elelenwo! (Well, make that 'had' by now, I fear.)
Oh, alright then, next stop Hassi Messaoud or Luanda if I can get through the interview first.
I will scan and post a tourist brochure if I can find one, just to do my bit to depopulate the Delta.
Jeez, if they let those two misfits back, why not me? No helicopter licence? Well, yes, but, no, but....
This is really a scandal! Never mind that bag of prawns, I have a thousand naira on a bar card in House One, Elelenwo! (Well, make that 'had' by now, I fear.)
Oh, alright then, next stop Hassi Messaoud or Luanda if I can get through the interview first.
I will scan and post a tourist brochure if I can find one, just to do my bit to depopulate the Delta.
Nigerian In Law
Chuks,
I can't think of a suitable (or worthy) back to back for you
Did you leave a bar card in the BRC too ? Just so I know whether to bother looking through all those dog eared antique ones.......... Are you doing that new language course they're advertising so you can say "My friend will pay" in Portugese or Arabic ? 
archos,
Yup, as I posted earlier the silence about "the deal" has been truly deafening. Anyone who was holding their breath is probably dead of suffocation
Cheers,
NEO
I can't think of a suitable (or worthy) back to back for you
Did you leave a bar card in the BRC too ? Just so I know whether to bother looking through all those dog eared antique ones.......... Are you doing that new language course they're advertising so you can say "My friend will pay" in Portugese or Arabic ? archos,
Yup, as I posted earlier the silence about "the deal" has been truly deafening. Anyone who was holding their breath is probably dead of suffocation
Cheers,
NEO
Sas Ain't headed back to the warm loving embraces of Bristow (Nigeria)....not now....not ever...by mutual but independent decisions at each end!
Now if they ever open up an operation in Thailand, The Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, or some such warm, sunny, FRIENDLY place to live and work....then maybe. (So long as PeeWee, the Majah, and Tyreburst are not involved in any way ever!)
Now if they ever open up an operation in Thailand, The Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, or some such warm, sunny, FRIENDLY place to live and work....then maybe. (So long as PeeWee, the Majah, and Tyreburst are not involved in any way ever!)
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Stacey, I can't believe you think working for ADA is "safe employment". The last couple of hundred people that had their a$$es fired thought so as well. I guess under the circumstances it's the lesser of two evils when compared to the s--t hole of Nigeria. Rumour has it the ADA staff are not permitted to associate with the FAS boys down the road. Too bad. Your management (Fast Eddie and the Cruisers) up on the 3rd floor should grow up, pay attention, and learn a thing or two from your old colleagues. Have a nice day in La La Land, aka The Logic Free Zone.
Munch Munch
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Mi amigo pagarį.
Nowadays we need to be able to say, 'Me, American? I'm a Canadian, eh?' Nobody's mad at Canadians. Well, except for some of the Inuit and the odd Mohawk Indian but I don't think I'll meet any of them where I plan to go. The good old days of just cadging a free drink or two are long gone; now it is all geo-politics and taking personal responsibility for a President I didn't even vote for.
Actually, I found a bar card from my first Bristow career circa 1990 and took it back to use up. When I left it had been enough for a hangover or two and when I took it back it only paid for a warm Coca-Cola. Such is the rate of inflation. Anyone else here remember when it was officially $2.50 to the naira? Gee, is this one reason those people out in the swamp are so upset? Their bar cards aren't worth as much; that must be it. How about air-dropping bar cards to see if that settles things down.
Listen, if SASless and Musket33 aren't coming back then I'm not coming back either! They might know something I don't about this and I am not taking any chances. Besides, I don't think I could find anyone willing to let me go back to back with them, even on 6/6.
Actually, I found a bar card from my first Bristow career circa 1990 and took it back to use up. When I left it had been enough for a hangover or two and when I took it back it only paid for a warm Coca-Cola. Such is the rate of inflation. Anyone else here remember when it was officially $2.50 to the naira? Gee, is this one reason those people out in the swamp are so upset? Their bar cards aren't worth as much; that must be it. How about air-dropping bar cards to see if that settles things down.
Listen, if SASless and Musket33 aren't coming back then I'm not coming back either! They might know something I don't about this and I am not taking any chances. Besides, I don't think I could find anyone willing to let me go back to back with them, even on 6/6.
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Hi Archos
I LOVE A GOOD RUMOR! Right now I'm having way to much fun to be interrupted. Besides I didn't show enough respect for management? More later from Las Vegas.
Sawatdee Khrap
musket33
Sawatdee Khrap
musket33
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Chuks-o,
Just checked up on your Elelenwo bar card. I was told that you and your bar card have one thing in common: Both are history!
Just checked up on your Elelenwo bar card. I was told that you and your bar card have one thing in common: Both are history!
Last edited by archos; 8th Dec 2006 at 18:41.
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Chc 8, Bristow 0.leave Now!
So by now the message must be clear - if you're thinking of joining Bristow - DON'T! 
They're incapable of making any decisions, they care nothing for their staff; chuks, SAS, stacey and Musket 33 ain't going back; they still employ Tyreburst, the Majah, PeeWee, have an MD called Holdon and they offer the cr+ppest deal in a contry where everyone's on a cr+p deal. Compared with CHC they have no pension scheme, no loss of licence, no computer purchase, no annual allowance for shoes or sunglasses, no credible in-country medical, no official 6/6, fly antiques; have lousy, insecure accomodation and have made the Bristow name a travesty. The latest rumour is that thanks to an exceptionally tactful e-mail from their deputy MD, almost everyone is refusing to work in PH.
CHC are incompetent, naive, tree-hugging, shaven-headed, can't take their beer (on the rare occasions they visit a bar!), have not the slightest idea about Africa; but are caring, pay better, their deal is up-front and there already, not something vaguely ephemeral; they have good local medical facilities (v. important in the present war situation), a great package of extras, fly the latest machines, normally meet their promises and are a good company to work for, with the probability of a fulfilling career in the future outside Nigeria. The move to the Death camp now looks to be at least 3 years down the road - if it ever happens. Their senior management from both Canada and Lagos visit Port Harcourt, stay overnight and talk to people.
Looks very much like, CHC 8, Bristow 0. Only advice would be; if you're daft enough to want to be in Nigeria after everything you've read here, go for CHC; if you're in Bristow, apply to CHC; if you're in CHC - you done well okay fella
They're incapable of making any decisions, they care nothing for their staff; chuks, SAS, stacey and Musket 33 ain't going back; they still employ Tyreburst, the Majah, PeeWee, have an MD called Holdon and they offer the cr+ppest deal in a contry where everyone's on a cr+p deal. Compared with CHC they have no pension scheme, no loss of licence, no computer purchase, no annual allowance for shoes or sunglasses, no credible in-country medical, no official 6/6, fly antiques; have lousy, insecure accomodation and have made the Bristow name a travesty. The latest rumour is that thanks to an exceptionally tactful e-mail from their deputy MD, almost everyone is refusing to work in PH. CHC are incompetent, naive, tree-hugging, shaven-headed, can't take their beer (on the rare occasions they visit a bar!), have not the slightest idea about Africa; but are caring, pay better, their deal is up-front and there already, not something vaguely ephemeral; they have good local medical facilities (v. important in the present war situation), a great package of extras, fly the latest machines, normally meet their promises and are a good company to work for, with the probability of a fulfilling career in the future outside Nigeria. The move to the Death camp now looks to be at least 3 years down the road - if it ever happens. Their senior management from both Canada and Lagos visit Port Harcourt, stay overnight and talk to people.
Looks very much like, CHC 8, Bristow 0. Only advice would be; if you're daft enough to want to be in Nigeria after everything you've read here, go for CHC; if you're in Bristow, apply to CHC; if you're in CHC - you done well okay fella
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Odili's Aw 139 - How Much Will It Cost Chc?
It's reported in the local press that the directors of Arik Air and the governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili are either under arrest or under investigation by the Economic Fraud and Crimes Commission - wonder what will happen to Odili's AW 139?
Wonder what will happen to all the frantic building work going on at NAF Base now - will it grind to a halt and soon be covered in black mould like so many other unfulfilled projects in Nigeria, or will Odili and Arumemi-Johnson emerge, Phoenix-like? In this country, it's anybody's guess. Things change so quickly, that it's just as likely that Caverton will expand from where they're building a hangar (for their 350B@?), take over all Arik operations and then suffer a spectacular collapse after the (probably-failed) Presidential elections next year.
Don'cha just love Nigeria
he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) earlier today invaded the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt and arrested the secretary to the state government of Dr. Peter Odili, his finance commissioner, Mr. Kobani and two other commissioners. Saharareporters learnt that other state government officials implicated in our most recent reports of a huge financial scam perpetrated by the Peter Odili's government in Rivers State are currently on the run from the EFCC operatives.
The EFCC also arrested and detained Mr. Arumemi-Johnson, owner of the new start up airline-ARIK Air. Saharareporters could not confirm as at the time of writing this report another story that the EFCC raided the headquarters of Arik Airline in lagos and carted away documents relating to the purchhase of brand new aircrafts by the airline's management. All the Rivers state officials arrested by the EFCC are currently detained in their Awolowo Road Ikoyi office in Lagos.
The Rivers State commissioner of information, Mr. Magnus Abe, issued a terse statement in Port Harcourt acknowledging that some state government officials were arrested by the EFCC, but declined to give their names or state reasons why they were picked up. He only said some of the officials had given statements to the EFCC.
Earlier today, Sahara reporters released a comprehensive report detailing the systematic looting of the Rivers State treasury by Governor Peter Odili and his cronies. We will continue to monitor events as they unfold...and report them to our readers.
The EFCC also arrested and detained Mr. Arumemi-Johnson, owner of the new start up airline-ARIK Air. Saharareporters could not confirm as at the time of writing this report another story that the EFCC raided the headquarters of Arik Airline in lagos and carted away documents relating to the purchhase of brand new aircrafts by the airline's management. All the Rivers state officials arrested by the EFCC are currently detained in their Awolowo Road Ikoyi office in Lagos.
The Rivers State commissioner of information, Mr. Magnus Abe, issued a terse statement in Port Harcourt acknowledging that some state government officials were arrested by the EFCC, but declined to give their names or state reasons why they were picked up. He only said some of the officials had given statements to the EFCC.
Earlier today, Sahara reporters released a comprehensive report detailing the systematic looting of the Rivers State treasury by Governor Peter Odili and his cronies. We will continue to monitor events as they unfold...and report them to our readers.
Don'cha just love Nigeria
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A change of direction.
I am hearing rumours of a few of the Nigerian based oil companies setting up an SAR operation in the Delta. Anyone got any gen on this?
Methinks it will end up being used to search for and "rescue" those poor unfortunates who get occupied by the various groups who have an axe to grind with the government/oil companies. Or moving troops around so the army don't get to taxi into the ditch in their helicopters
.
Either way it looks like it will be a good idea that is soon perverted by the Nigerian Factor.
Methinks it will end up being used to search for and "rescue" those poor unfortunates who get occupied by the various groups who have an axe to grind with the government/oil companies. Or moving troops around so the army don't get to taxi into the ditch in their helicopters
.Either way it looks like it will be a good idea that is soon perverted by the Nigerian Factor.
No respect to management, Musket?
What did you do that was so heinous as to make you unwelcome? Take the wrong serviette out of the rack....got the Majah's by mistake did you? Not on ol'Bean....one must learn to act like a Rupert if you are going to get along in the mess.
At least you didn't fire his Batman as I did....that certainly twisted his knickers!
Ah...the infamous words...."What for dinner?"
What did you do that was so heinous as to make you unwelcome? Take the wrong serviette out of the rack....got the Majah's by mistake did you? Not on ol'Bean....one must learn to act like a Rupert if you are going to get along in the mess.
At least you didn't fire his Batman as I did....that certainly twisted his knickers!
Ah...the infamous words...."What for dinner?"
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Another fall-back position shot to hell...
I was counting on that bar card, actually. I figured that if everything went totally pear-shaped so that I found myself back in the White Man's Grave at least I could head for House One, Elelenwo and drown my sorrows. That's assuming I could make it there past the gauntlet of kidnappers, militant youths, pissed-off girlfriends (It wasn't me, it was some other oyingbo; don't wave that yellow baby at me!), rabid dogs and hubcap thieves.
Ah well, it is a cold, cruel world, is it not? All is not lost, though; I found a handsomely-printed certificate that shows I did a management course! I may not have to go back to work after all.... Stand by for a visit from a new consultant!
Ah well, it is a cold, cruel world, is it not? All is not lost, though; I found a handsomely-printed certificate that shows I did a management course! I may not have to go back to work after all.... Stand by for a visit from a new consultant!
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Another fall back position....
Never fear, Chuks. Someone else is bound to have flown the coop and left a bar card at AaaaseWun.
Besides, there will always be someone there who will ply you with the devil's brew to hear your eloquent views on the armpit of Africa.
Besides, there will always be someone there who will ply you with the devil's brew to hear your eloquent views on the armpit of Africa.