What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
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ruma,
Would you trust a company which has had 4 operations directors in 4 years?
Would you rely on a company which may land you in a Shell director's garden instead of NAF Base?
Would you give an important fixed wing contract to a company which has no experience whatsoever of fixed wing operations?
Would you think highly of a company which has been advertising its scheduled shuttle operation between MMIA and VI, which has never started it, but is now trying to lease its VI base used as a social venue?
Do you think someone in LNG accepted a large envelope, or did they get the work on all the basis of all their previous successful operations
.
I think all the banks in Nigeria won't have enough cowries to keep them going beyond next year, especially of the elections result in their special contacts no longer being in office.
Would you trust a company which has had 4 operations directors in 4 years?
Would you rely on a company which may land you in a Shell director's garden instead of NAF Base?
Would you give an important fixed wing contract to a company which has no experience whatsoever of fixed wing operations?
Would you think highly of a company which has been advertising its scheduled shuttle operation between MMIA and VI, which has never started it, but is now trying to lease its VI base used as a social venue?
Do you think someone in LNG accepted a large envelope, or did they get the work on all the basis of all their previous successful operations
. I think all the banks in Nigeria won't have enough cowries to keep them going beyond next year, especially of the elections result in their special contacts no longer being in office.
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phone wind,
You are wrong there, mate!! YES, I have it on good authority that the gents from the EFCC did indeed visit Caverton's premises, but could not make it past the large brown well padded obstructions in the doorway.
SASless,
Come, now! The USA do the right thing? For AFRICA?? Surely you
jest. There is way too much oil elsewhere for the US to give more than a passing damn about anything that happens in Africa. Look at what is happening in Zimbabwe if you don't believe me. All they have is Tobacco, and tourism all of which are of precious little political value to Uncle Sam.
etienne,
Off course they will overreact. After all one of them let the bomb in at the well guarded gate to the RA in the first place, and a strong response is the best way of diverting attention.
anjouan,
How will that make Caverton any different from all the other domestic wannabees?
MERRY CHRISTMAS one and all, OR whatever you celebrate, may it be blessed and peaceful to you and your families.
You are wrong there, mate!! YES, I have it on good authority that the gents from the EFCC did indeed visit Caverton's premises, but could not make it past the large brown well padded obstructions in the doorway.
SASless,
Come, now! The USA do the right thing? For AFRICA?? Surely you
jest. There is way too much oil elsewhere for the US to give more than a passing damn about anything that happens in Africa. Look at what is happening in Zimbabwe if you don't believe me. All they have is Tobacco, and tourism all of which are of precious little political value to Uncle Sam.etienne,
Off course they will overreact. After all one of them let the bomb in at the well guarded gate to the RA in the first place, and a strong response is the best way of diverting attention.
anjouan,
How will that make Caverton any different from all the other domestic wannabees?
MERRY CHRISTMAS one and all, OR whatever you celebrate, may it be blessed and peaceful to you and your families.
Unstable....why is it the American's fault that Zimbabwe is in the condition it is?
I don't see any other nation stepping up to the plate to take a swing at Mad Bob!
I am all for it....the sad part is....the world has waited way too long to do the "right" thing.
I don't see any other nation stepping up to the plate to take a swing at Mad Bob!
I am all for it....the sad part is....the world has waited way too long to do the "right" thing.
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SAS,
Sorry for the misunderstanding there...
It was never my intenton to say it was the USA's fault at all. All I was saying was that the US is noticeably quiet or absent from areas (particularly in Africa) that could do with the input of an influential nation like yours unless there is a tangible benefit to them.
As for no other nation stepping up to take a swing at Bobby McCabe, hell I live next door and MY lot are doing the least to help of anyone. I have family who left there with precious little and walked away from a lifetime of commitment to what was once one of the most beautiful places in Africa.
It's not and never was the USA's fault that it is a shambles. A bit of stern criticism would not go amiss though.
Still, like I said..... they have nothing of any real value there.
Sorry for the misunderstanding there...
It was never my intenton to say it was the USA's fault at all. All I was saying was that the US is noticeably quiet or absent from areas (particularly in Africa) that could do with the input of an influential nation like yours unless there is a tangible benefit to them.
As for no other nation stepping up to take a swing at Bobby McCabe, hell I live next door and MY lot are doing the least to help of anyone. I have family who left there with precious little and walked away from a lifetime of commitment to what was once one of the most beautiful places in Africa.
It's not and never was the USA's fault that it is a shambles. A bit of stern criticism would not go amiss though.
Still, like I said..... they have nothing of any real value there.
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UL,
Depending on which journal you wish to believe, Nigeria is the world's 7th or 8th largest oil producer. Two of the major players there are Exxon/Mobil and Chevron/Texaco so I believe that America has much more than a passing interest in what is happening in Nigeria, particularly in view of the hostility toward it from much of the Arab world.
I think if you read etienne's post, he says that the military at NAF Base are the ones over-reacting. The gate to either NAF Base or Shell well guarded
. I guess that's just your sense of humour 
The only other domestic wannabee which bears a resemblence to Caverton is Arik, which has much deeper pockets, much better connections and is currently under investigation by the EFCC. I believe they also had some problems finding airfields during their route proving
. It has so far, though only had 2 Ops Directors AFIK. Caverton, anyway bears much more resemblance to Southern Air, whose last Ops Manager is now with Caverton - I'd thought he'd have more sense actually than to get involved with them, but I guess he'll leave enrichened by his experience.
Oh well, back to the mundane world of watching nothing happen. A Merry Christmas to one and all.
Depending on which journal you wish to believe, Nigeria is the world's 7th or 8th largest oil producer. Two of the major players there are Exxon/Mobil and Chevron/Texaco so I believe that America has much more than a passing interest in what is happening in Nigeria, particularly in view of the hostility toward it from much of the Arab world.
I think if you read etienne's post, he says that the military at NAF Base are the ones over-reacting. The gate to either NAF Base or Shell well guarded
. I guess that's just your sense of humour The only other domestic wannabee which bears a resemblence to Caverton is Arik, which has much deeper pockets, much better connections and is currently under investigation by the EFCC. I believe they also had some problems finding airfields during their route proving
. It has so far, though only had 2 Ops Directors AFIK. Caverton, anyway bears much more resemblance to Southern Air, whose last Ops Manager is now with Caverton - I'd thought he'd have more sense actually than to get involved with them, but I guess he'll leave enrichened by his experience.Oh well, back to the mundane world of watching nothing happen. A Merry Christmas to one and all.
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African malaise
I've always had a theory about how the Zimbabwe situation developed. There's nothing quite like a good conspiracy theory - and here's mine.
When Bliar and Bush sat around the log fire and decided that each wanted to do something to really change the world it was agreed that TB would help GB to rid the world of the guy who tried to have his dad assasinated so long as GB then helped TB to get rid of that nasty man Mugabe who was busy embarassing TB at the time and appeared 'untouchable'.
The first part of the plan required a certain amount of manipulation to justify the attack on Iraq (about which we now know a lot - to our undying shame). The second part was getting underway when the rest of the leaders in that part of Africa made it clear to one and all that Mugabe was a revered elder statesman and much respected in that part of the world and that an attack on Zimbabwe would result in adjacent nations, fearing they might be next on the TB GB list, coming to his aid.
The impossibility of US assistance in Zimbabwe became clear once the quagmire in Iraq developed. QED - we are where we are.
G
When Bliar and Bush sat around the log fire and decided that each wanted to do something to really change the world it was agreed that TB would help GB to rid the world of the guy who tried to have his dad assasinated so long as GB then helped TB to get rid of that nasty man Mugabe who was busy embarassing TB at the time and appeared 'untouchable'.
The first part of the plan required a certain amount of manipulation to justify the attack on Iraq (about which we now know a lot - to our undying shame). The second part was getting underway when the rest of the leaders in that part of Africa made it clear to one and all that Mugabe was a revered elder statesman and much respected in that part of the world and that an attack on Zimbabwe would result in adjacent nations, fearing they might be next on the TB GB list, coming to his aid.
The impossibility of US assistance in Zimbabwe became clear once the quagmire in Iraq developed. QED - we are where we are.
G
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Mama,
Your input as always is far more accurate and factual than mine, especially as I am now "late" these past 2 1/2 years having moved onto similar, but far more peaceful climes.
It is at the end of the day my sense of cynicsm and what passes for humour.
Chev/Tex and Exxon/Mobil are indeed flying the flag in Nigeria. However, they are there as businessmen, what I was referring to was the direct input of the US government either Diplomatically/verbally or indeed physically. Now I am not advocating a US invasion of Nigeria, although it would be fun to be a fly on the wall were that to happen. I give the US army 48 hours before every piece of kit they own is nicked and on sale at the mammy market back to them at a "good price for my ogga, now".
I did read etienne's post re the NAF base and my mind went racing back to the frustration we had to endure in more peaceful times (???) in Warri when someone nicked some kids bikes from the RA. The fine men in black at the gate went from comatose to rabid in a heartbeat and nothing that had 2 wheels was safe from scrutiny as long as an Oyibo was at the helm notwithstanding the fact that they worked out that the rubbish crew had done it. 
Geoffers,
Nice theory, and probably a lot more than a bit of truth in there too!!
Merry christmas all, or whatever this time means to you, may it be peaceful!
Your input as always is far more accurate and factual than mine, especially as I am now "late" these past 2 1/2 years having moved onto similar, but far more peaceful climes.
It is at the end of the day my sense of cynicsm and what passes for humour.Chev/Tex and Exxon/Mobil are indeed flying the flag in Nigeria. However, they are there as businessmen, what I was referring to was the direct input of the US government either Diplomatically/verbally or indeed physically. Now I am not advocating a US invasion of Nigeria, although it would be fun to be a fly on the wall were that to happen. I give the US army 48 hours before every piece of kit they own is nicked and on sale at the mammy market back to them at a "good price for my ogga, now".
I did read etienne's post re the NAF base and my mind went racing back to the frustration we had to endure in more peaceful times (???) in Warri when someone nicked some kids bikes from the RA. The fine men in black at the gate went from comatose to rabid in a heartbeat and nothing that had 2 wheels was safe from scrutiny as long as an Oyibo was at the helm
notwithstanding the fact that they worked out that the rubbish crew had done it. Geoffers,
Nice theory, and probably a lot more than a bit of truth in there too!!
Merry christmas all, or whatever this time means to you, may it be peaceful!
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New Bristow Deal
Well, I guess it is either the end or the beginning of the week, depending on your viewpoint.
The new Bristow deal doesn't seem particularly stunning. From what I hear there's no change to pay, but pilots working 8/4 will get US$500 per day in excess of 6 weeks. Nigeria location allowance increases by $2,500 per annum (yes, that's almost $100 per week on site extra - now that's real recognition of the increase in danger there these days ). Wonder if any of the wunderkinds from head office in Texas would go and work amongst the car bombs in PH for an extra $14 a day? There's now some kind of pension scheme and for contributions of up to 7% of salary, the company will add another 7%.
I bet they're already totally underwhelmed with calls and e-mails from CHC pilots wanting to change
The new Bristow deal doesn't seem particularly stunning. From what I hear there's no change to pay, but pilots working 8/4 will get US$500 per day in excess of 6 weeks. Nigeria location allowance increases by $2,500 per annum (yes, that's almost $100 per week on site extra - now that's real recognition of the increase in danger there these days
). Wonder if any of the wunderkinds from head office in Texas would go and work amongst the car bombs in PH for an extra $14 a day? There's now some kind of pension scheme and for contributions of up to 7% of salary, the company will add another 7%.I bet they're already totally underwhelmed with calls and e-mails from CHC pilots wanting to change
Tom Bola,
Is that 500 USD over and above the normal wage or 500USD in lieu of regular pay for the extra two weeks?
Some of the senior Air Log pilots are making 875 USD per day of workover in Louisana.
The retirement plan....pretty much what we call a 401(k) plan in the USA....is a good deal. For the first 7% of your wages you invest the company matches that amount giving you a one hundred percent return before any return on the investment. The bad part is the vesting period....usually five years. Leave before five years and you only get the return on your part of investment and the company keeps their contributions.
Is that 500 USD over and above the normal wage or 500USD in lieu of regular pay for the extra two weeks?
Some of the senior Air Log pilots are making 875 USD per day of workover in Louisana.
The retirement plan....pretty much what we call a 401(k) plan in the USA....is a good deal. For the first 7% of your wages you invest the company matches that amount giving you a one hundred percent return before any return on the investment. The bad part is the vesting period....usually five years. Leave before five years and you only get the return on your part of investment and the company keeps their contributions.
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Tom,
I guess it depends on the slant you put on it. For Bristow guys, the pay for 6/6 is the same as they were getting for 7/5, which equates to a pay rise. The Nigeria allowance is not $7,500 per annum - it's been increased by an additional $7,500 per annum ( a 75% additional increase), a rather different thing I think you'll agree. There's an additional incentive for those wishing to work 8/4. I don't think the deal is too bad, but it's a shame they didn't take the opportunity to match CHC on a few other things like the loss of licence insurance or decent in-country medical provision - very important in the present state of Nigeria.
SAS,
The US$500 is over and above regular salary. I don't know if the pension scheme has a 5 year minimum limit. It sounds, as you say, like a 401(k) plan, but may be a bit different if it's set up in the Channel Isles.
I guess it wil come down to people deciding if the extra is really adequate for the extra risks of working in Nigeria for now.
I guess it depends on the slant you put on it. For Bristow guys, the pay for 6/6 is the same as they were getting for 7/5, which equates to a pay rise. The Nigeria allowance is not $7,500 per annum - it's been increased by an additional $7,500 per annum ( a 75% additional increase), a rather different thing I think you'll agree. There's an additional incentive for those wishing to work 8/4. I don't think the deal is too bad, but it's a shame they didn't take the opportunity to match CHC on a few other things like the loss of licence insurance or decent in-country medical provision - very important in the present state of Nigeria.
SAS,
The US$500 is over and above regular salary. I don't know if the pension scheme has a 5 year minimum limit. It sounds, as you say, like a 401(k) plan, but may be a bit different if it's set up in the Channel Isles.
I guess it wil come down to people deciding if the extra is really adequate for the extra risks of working in Nigeria for now.
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Mamaput- We are talking about pilots pay here.
Can you give me an figure for an engineers salary for bristows in nigeria on a 6/6 roster. Just a ball park figure would be appreciated if you know?
Can you give me an figure for an engineers salary for bristows in nigeria on a 6/6 roster. Just a ball park figure would be appreciated if you know?
Nigerian In Law
MamaPut,
You've more or less got it on the button, except it's 20% on BASIC salary for 8/4. A bit of a cheek really, 20% more for working....haven't got my calculator but it's a lot more than 20% time wise now everyone's 6/6 basic, especially given the curent situation there.
As you say, it'll come down to individual choice, as it always should.
Cheers. A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Ppruners.
NEO
You've more or less got it on the button, except it's 20% on BASIC salary for 8/4. A bit of a cheek really, 20% more for working....haven't got my calculator but it's a lot more than 20% time wise now everyone's 6/6 basic, especially given the curent situation there.
As you say, it'll come down to individual choice, as it always should.
Cheers. A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Ppruners.
NEO
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NEO,
Thanks for that. I know which I'd be going for
AN4-6,
Much though I'd love to help, if you're an engineer you must know that engineers keep tighter about what they get paid than a freshly torqued main rotor head bolt
To one and all, I'd like to echo what soggyboxers has sais on another thread: spare a thought for the families of the hostages of MEND spending a miserable Christmas somewhere in the swamps as political pawns. Wherever you are, some of us are thinking of you and hope that you will regain your freedom before 2007.
Thanks for that. I know which I'd be going for
AN4-6,
Much though I'd love to help, if you're an engineer you must know that engineers keep tighter about what they get paid than a freshly torqued main rotor head bolt
To one and all, I'd like to echo what soggyboxers has sais on another thread: spare a thought for the families of the hostages of MEND spending a miserable Christmas somewhere in the swamps as political pawns. Wherever you are, some of us are thinking of you and hope that you will regain your freedom before 2007.
Christmas Message
My thoughts echo those above not forgetting also the crew(Ellis/Ojami et al) of B412 - 5NBDZ(N509AL) died in the service of Big Oil in 2004 and still lying at the bottom of the Gulf of Benin.
Big Oils profits for 2006, a conservative US$100billion.
A Merry Xmas to all "Old Sweats" still of/in the Delta , not forgetting of course those Southern Babtist shareholders counting their dividend cheques.
with fraternal greetings, ambi (retired to SA)
Big Oils profits for 2006, a conservative US$100billion.
A Merry Xmas to all "Old Sweats" still of/in the Delta , not forgetting of course those Southern Babtist shareholders counting their dividend cheques.
with fraternal greetings, ambi (retired to SA)
I gather that all Shell dependants have just been evacuated and are not expected to return for several months!
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212 man,
Probably a silly question, but I am known for those....
Have ONLY the Shell dependants been evacuated, or ALL dependants on the RA's?
I am thinking here of the Bristow and other contractors on the Warri RA.
Probably a silly question, but I am known for those....
Have ONLY the Shell dependants been evacuated, or ALL dependants on the RA's?
I am thinking here of the Bristow and other contractors on the Warri RA.
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UL,
The Bristow dependants in PH and Warri don't actually live on the Shell RAs (even though at Warri they have their own access gate). I think there's only a few guys on accompanied status now. Agip have only evacuated their families to Lagos, so they can have regular visits from their loved ones. Maybe with the car bombs now being used to target government offices the families will return to PH soon? With the fuel shortage in PH really biting now, it's probably difficult to deliver a car bomb anyway! There was some speculation yesterday that the Agip hostages being held by MEND were about to be released, but it turned out that they had just asked for a doctor for one who was seriously ill (now reported to be recovering).
ruma,
Friends on leave who have visited Heliportugal tell me that the new machine Caverton are leasing is a single, not a twin Squirrell. I think it's still in Tires airport. As mentioned already, we'll keep the colour on this one a surprise until it arrives. Guess it won't arrive in Lagos before the end of the year now.
The Bristow dependants in PH and Warri don't actually live on the Shell RAs (even though at Warri they have their own access gate). I think there's only a few guys on accompanied status now. Agip have only evacuated their families to Lagos, so they can have regular visits from their loved ones. Maybe with the car bombs now being used to target government offices the families will return to PH soon? With the fuel shortage in PH really biting now, it's probably difficult to deliver a car bomb anyway! There was some speculation yesterday that the Agip hostages being held by MEND were about to be released, but it turned out that they had just asked for a doctor for one who was seriously ill (now reported to be recovering).
ruma,
Friends on leave who have visited Heliportugal tell me that the new machine Caverton are leasing is a single, not a twin Squirrell. I think it's still in Tires airport. As mentioned already, we'll keep the colour on this one a surprise until it arrives. Guess it won't arrive in Lagos before the end of the year now.
Nigerian pipeline explosion kills 200
By KATHARINE HOURELD, Associated Press Writer1 hour, 38 minutes ago
At least 200 people were killed Tuesday when a gasoline pipeline exploded in Nigeria's biggest city of Lagos, a Red Cross official said. The death toll was expected to rise.
Ige Oladimeji, a senior official for the Nigerian Red Cross, said his workers had documented "over 200 and still counting."
"We can only recognize them through the skulls, the bodies are scattered over the ground," he said. Workers "can't get close enough because the fire is still burning."
Witnesses said the pipeline ruptured shortly after midnight and that people had been collecting leaking fuel in plastic cans for hours before the explosion. It wasn't clear what caused the initial rupture in the pipeline or the later explosion.
Hundreds of bodies could be seen jumbled and fused together in the raging flames at the blast site. Intense heat kept rescue workers back as smoke billowed over the heavily populated Adule Egba neighborhood.
The blast shook the neighborhood after dawn, Nigerian Red Cross spokesman Umar Mairiga said. He said 16 bodies had been taken to the morgue, but raging fires were hindering further recovery. Many people had been injured, he said.
Nigerians often tap into pipelines carrying refined fuel, scooping up the raw product in buckets or plastic bags. Spilled fuel spreading in pools sometimes ignites, immolating people nearby.
In May, more than 150 people died in a similar explosion in Lagos.
Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer, but corruption, poor management and limited refining capacity often leave the country short of fuel for vehicles and stoves.
Shortages in recent days have prompted hours-long lines at Lagos filling stations.
By KATHARINE HOURELD, Associated Press Writer1 hour, 38 minutes ago
At least 200 people were killed Tuesday when a gasoline pipeline exploded in Nigeria's biggest city of Lagos, a Red Cross official said. The death toll was expected to rise.
Ige Oladimeji, a senior official for the Nigerian Red Cross, said his workers had documented "over 200 and still counting."
"We can only recognize them through the skulls, the bodies are scattered over the ground," he said. Workers "can't get close enough because the fire is still burning."
Witnesses said the pipeline ruptured shortly after midnight and that people had been collecting leaking fuel in plastic cans for hours before the explosion. It wasn't clear what caused the initial rupture in the pipeline or the later explosion.
Hundreds of bodies could be seen jumbled and fused together in the raging flames at the blast site. Intense heat kept rescue workers back as smoke billowed over the heavily populated Adule Egba neighborhood.
The blast shook the neighborhood after dawn, Nigerian Red Cross spokesman Umar Mairiga said. He said 16 bodies had been taken to the morgue, but raging fires were hindering further recovery. Many people had been injured, he said.
Nigerians often tap into pipelines carrying refined fuel, scooping up the raw product in buckets or plastic bags. Spilled fuel spreading in pools sometimes ignites, immolating people nearby.
In May, more than 150 people died in a similar explosion in Lagos.
Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer, but corruption, poor management and limited refining capacity often leave the country short of fuel for vehicles and stoves.
Shortages in recent days have prompted hours-long lines at Lagos filling stations.
Nigerian In Law
Sas,
The penultimate paragraph sums it up sadly. No end in sight either. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer and more desperate. I can't help remembering Dubai last time I visited, and thinking of the benefits oil wealth can bring.
Bloody tragic.
NEO
The penultimate paragraph sums it up sadly. No end in sight either. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer and more desperate. I can't help remembering Dubai last time I visited, and thinking of the benefits oil wealth can bring.
Bloody tragic.
NEO
NEO,
Even Khadaffi in Libya had the smarts to share with all of the people in the country....look at how long he has been in power with little competition.
Greed will get you ever time.
The other interesting story in the news is about the recovered Abacha money (450 Million USD's) being "spent wisely" on projects approved and monitored by the World Bank.
If just half of the pilfered Billions could be recovered and spent wisely and properly....think of the benefit to the country.
Even Khadaffi in Libya had the smarts to share with all of the people in the country....look at how long he has been in power with little competition.
Greed will get you ever time.
The other interesting story in the news is about the recovered Abacha money (450 Million USD's) being "spent wisely" on projects approved and monitored by the World Bank.
If just half of the pilfered Billions could be recovered and spent wisely and properly....think of the benefit to the country.