What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
I gather food supplies in Ogunu must be scarce: one of the (ex) pilots recently attempted to take up canabalism, I'm told 
(I guess Moose meat must be a bit like tough venison
)
(I guess Moose meat must be a bit like tough venison
)
Last edited by 212man; 9th Sep 2007 at 23:17.
Nigerian In Law
Hey 212man,
Yes, a very ugly incident. The excuse was too much Tequila I heard
There is no excuse at all for attempting to attack an over 60 year old who is much smaller than you for not playing the right music CD at a private party..................... Good job the other guy got in his way or he could have been in the nick awaiting trial for murder judging by the completely wild and senseless way he attacked. That operation has a large prison to live in as you know, with a lot of facilities unavailable elsewhere. They also have a lot of free time.
I have noticed an element of "cabin fever" creeping in as the draconian (but necessary) security measures, i.e. lockdown in most locations, drag on. I will not be surprised if there are more such incidents. What used to be a bit of banter appears to easily turn into a confrontation in more and more cases.
Whatever happens in the Delta, who will be the first security consultant to sign a document stating that the current measures may be eased, therefore effectively writing him/herself out of a job ?? The longer the situation goes on and the worse it gets is pay cheque prolongation for these guys.
Why not start a "What's New In Borneo" thread ?? You've got real cannibals there. If I remember rightly they were particularly partial to Japanese meat in WW2.
Cheers,
NEO
Yes, a very ugly incident. The excuse was too much Tequila I heard
There is no excuse at all for attempting to attack an over 60 year old who is much smaller than you for not playing the right music CD at a private party..................... Good job the other guy got in his way or he could have been in the nick awaiting trial for murder judging by the completely wild and senseless way he attacked. That operation has a large prison to live in as you know, with a lot of facilities unavailable elsewhere. They also have a lot of free time.I have noticed an element of "cabin fever" creeping in as the draconian (but necessary) security measures, i.e. lockdown in most locations, drag on. I will not be surprised if there are more such incidents. What used to be a bit of banter appears to easily turn into a confrontation in more and more cases.
Whatever happens in the Delta, who will be the first security consultant to sign a document stating that the current measures may be eased, therefore effectively writing him/herself out of a job ?? The longer the situation goes on and the worse it gets is pay cheque prolongation for these guys.
Why not start a "What's New In Borneo" thread ?? You've got real cannibals there. If I remember rightly they were particularly partial to Japanese meat in WW2.
Cheers,
NEO
Well, the Supersave shelves have had asparagus on them this week, but I'm not sure that really counts as worthy of a thread!
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: DXB
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PH Airport to Reopen By March 2008, Says Minister
I see you guys are more passionate about events in PH airport than those of us in FW.
Minister of Transportation, Mrs. Diezana Allison-Madueke, has said that the Port Harcourt Airport, closed since August 29, 2007 for renovation but stalled, will resume operations in the first quarter of 2008.
She also said that with the improvement in the security in the Niger Delta, Julius Berger, German construction company handling most of the federal contracts in the region, would return to site and enhance the completion of the East-West road in record time.
The Minister, who arrived the Air Force base six hours behind schedule, explained that the putting up additional infrastructure which were not in the original plan accounted for the shift of the reopening of the airport till next year.
“The most pragmatic answer to that is that it will be ready by the first quarter of next year. The reasons are two-fold: one, Julius Berger is back on the job and is working very hard at completing the runway in the next three months; at the same time, we are getting a category III lighting put in place as well”, she explained.
According to her, although the rehabilitation of the terminal building was not included in the initial plan, she said her ministry was partnering with the Rivers State government to rehabilitate the terminal building so that users of the facility will have value for their money.
She reasoned that it would not be a good decision to go to the extent of putting a category III lighting facility, rehabilitate the runways and leave the old terminal building the way it was.
On the East-West road, she pointed out that the stumbling block to its completion was the security situation in the region but added that since the situation has improved, Julius Berger was about going back to site.
“We all know the security situation we have had in this region that is abating now and Julius Berger is about going back to work so that will be rectified shortly, everything remaining the same”, she assured.
Asked what has become of the N2 billion that Rivers State government under former Governor Peter Odili made available to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for speedy completion of the renovation works, she replied that the state government was aware of its “judicious utilisation”.
“The money has been judiciously used. I can assure you of that. The Rivers State government is fully aware of how it has been spent. Julius Berger is doing the work and part of the money we are using to do the work is actually from the government. We are partnering with the government of Rivers State in all we are doing”, she said.
Governor Celestine Omehia had several times raised alarm over the abandoning of the Port Harcourt Airport which he lamented was the only international airport in the entire South East and South-South geopolitical region.
He, at a point, threatened to take over the airport if the federal government was no longer willing to run it, pointing out that travellers to the State who are forced to land at Owerri run a lot of risk to travel by road to their destinations as they were most times attacked by armed robbers.
Initially, Odili had announced he was committing N4 billion to the rehabilitation of the airport on a refundable basis but released the initial N2 billion for the job which he also observed was not applied to remedy the airport on time for flights to resume.
Julius Berger had cited security problems following the increase in the kidnap of expatriate workers in the region and had to pull out of site when their workers consistently came under threat.
Diezana, who was received at the airport by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Tele Ikuru, was scheduled to inspect Eleme Junction which records the highest traffic snarl in the region. She was also billed to inspect the Port Harcourt International Airport at Omagwa and later, the East-West road before going to Onne to inspect some federal projects there.
http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=88985
She also said that with the improvement in the security in the Niger Delta, Julius Berger, German construction company handling most of the federal contracts in the region, would return to site and enhance the completion of the East-West road in record time.
The Minister, who arrived the Air Force base six hours behind schedule, explained that the putting up additional infrastructure which were not in the original plan accounted for the shift of the reopening of the airport till next year.
“The most pragmatic answer to that is that it will be ready by the first quarter of next year. The reasons are two-fold: one, Julius Berger is back on the job and is working very hard at completing the runway in the next three months; at the same time, we are getting a category III lighting put in place as well”, she explained.
According to her, although the rehabilitation of the terminal building was not included in the initial plan, she said her ministry was partnering with the Rivers State government to rehabilitate the terminal building so that users of the facility will have value for their money.
She reasoned that it would not be a good decision to go to the extent of putting a category III lighting facility, rehabilitate the runways and leave the old terminal building the way it was.
On the East-West road, she pointed out that the stumbling block to its completion was the security situation in the region but added that since the situation has improved, Julius Berger was about going back to site.
“We all know the security situation we have had in this region that is abating now and Julius Berger is about going back to work so that will be rectified shortly, everything remaining the same”, she assured.
Asked what has become of the N2 billion that Rivers State government under former Governor Peter Odili made available to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for speedy completion of the renovation works, she replied that the state government was aware of its “judicious utilisation”.
“The money has been judiciously used. I can assure you of that. The Rivers State government is fully aware of how it has been spent. Julius Berger is doing the work and part of the money we are using to do the work is actually from the government. We are partnering with the government of Rivers State in all we are doing”, she said.
Governor Celestine Omehia had several times raised alarm over the abandoning of the Port Harcourt Airport which he lamented was the only international airport in the entire South East and South-South geopolitical region.
He, at a point, threatened to take over the airport if the federal government was no longer willing to run it, pointing out that travellers to the State who are forced to land at Owerri run a lot of risk to travel by road to their destinations as they were most times attacked by armed robbers.
Initially, Odili had announced he was committing N4 billion to the rehabilitation of the airport on a refundable basis but released the initial N2 billion for the job which he also observed was not applied to remedy the airport on time for flights to resume.
Julius Berger had cited security problems following the increase in the kidnap of expatriate workers in the region and had to pull out of site when their workers consistently came under threat.
Diezana, who was received at the airport by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Tele Ikuru, was scheduled to inspect Eleme Junction which records the highest traffic snarl in the region. She was also billed to inspect the Port Harcourt International Airport at Omagwa and later, the East-West road before going to Onne to inspect some federal projects there.
http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=88985
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jankara
Age: 64
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CHC GO Union Busters
CHC Global Helicopter Pilots' Association has applied for certification with the Canadian Industrial Relations Board. CHC GO are strongly objecting to the Association being granted any legal status and want the Board to dismiss the application from GHPA outright. Possibly the largest single number of members in any one location are in Nigeria. It's interesting then that amongst the powerful witnesses called to testify against the Association by CHC were Jide Adebayo (himself a Nigerian and now Managing Director of CHC Africa); Koen Neven, Managing Director of Aero Contractors Nigeria; Ian Richards, shortly taking over as General Manager, Rotary Wing for Aero Contractors Nigeria. Other witnesses for the company were Guido Lepore, Chief Pilot CHC and Guy Smith, Flight Standards CHC. The whole thing was watched over by Brian Clegg, Operations Director CHC.
Anybody think CHC has a sympathetic management, particularly in Nigeria, or that the GHPA will last long
Anybody think CHC has a sympathetic management, particularly in Nigeria, or that the GHPA will last long
Nigerian In Law
Think Yourself Lucky !!
MP,
At least CHC GO have an association !! Bristow management have nothing to worry about in that area as there aren't two pilots working for them who agree on anything, let alone have the b%*ls to tell anyone about it !!
NEO
At least CHC GO have an association !! Bristow management have nothing to worry about in that area as there aren't two pilots working for them who agree on anything, let alone have the b%*ls to tell anyone about it !!
NEO
NEO,
Now just who in management would you expect to listen?
BHL has never been known for implementing effective two way comms....especially with the hired help.
Now just who in management would you expect to listen?
BHL has never been known for implementing effective two way comms....especially with the hired help.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jankara
Age: 64
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bristow management have nothing to worry about in that area as there aren't two pilots working for them who agree on anything, let alone have the b%*ls to tell anyone about it !!
There's a new CHC rule that rather than expect any of we pilots to know where we really are we just give a distance and bearing from the POT VOR. Jolly useful as one sails past Escravos informing them that one is on the xxx radial from POT at yyy DME and estimating to be on the zzz radial POT at aaa DME at so-so time, rather than passing abeam Escravos and estimating Lagos at so-so time (seems it's not fair to expect the new dears should actually have to learn something or carry a map). Hmmm, with some of their new-found Captains, even this may prove too taxing
. I wonder they even find their way back to NAF Base - it's probably done by looking for the sun reflecting off the roof of the new Squirrel munching hangar
Nigerian In Law
MP,
I used to be a serial disagree-er, a bit like a serial killer but not quite as lethal !! But I'm all grown up now
What about you ? Do you raise your head above the parapet ?
The "new" POT reporting circular isn't actually. Your HOFO R/W wanted that changed over a year ago and it was knocked back for exactly the reason you've stated. But as with the one way CTZ reporting points he got his way, albeit after some consultation this time. The reporting point change was foisted on the Delta Operators as nobody was even asked, he just went to NAMA and did it himself having written to all the clients and told them everyone was operating in an unsafe way !! Maybe he's learnt his lesson ?
Cheers,
NEO
I used to be a serial disagree-er, a bit like a serial killer but not quite as lethal !! But I'm all grown up now
What about you ? Do you raise your head above the parapet ?The "new" POT reporting circular isn't actually. Your HOFO R/W wanted that changed over a year ago and it was knocked back for exactly the reason you've stated. But as with the one way CTZ reporting points he got his way, albeit after some consultation this time. The reporting point change was foisted on the Delta Operators as nobody was even asked, he just went to NAMA and did it himself having written to all the clients and told them everyone was operating in an unsafe way !! Maybe he's learnt his lesson ?
Cheers,
NEO
NEO,
Let's do recall how GPS was accepted by a certain operator when it was mandated by the Nigerian government......"....some bloody Yank military thing...we may have to install it but when they go U/S...we won't bother ourselves repairing them!"
The concept of "helicopter air ways....IP's and/or RP's based upon GPS data" was first broached way back in the early 90's.
Heck....I remember the response from one fellow when the simple concept of using a half mile offset track to avoid nose to nose situations when two aircraft were using the same track but going in opposite directions. It was something along the line of "The customer would not accept the extra flying time....translated from "Not invented here!".
It sounds like it has not happened yet.
Let's do recall how GPS was accepted by a certain operator when it was mandated by the Nigerian government......"....some bloody Yank military thing...we may have to install it but when they go U/S...we won't bother ourselves repairing them!"
The concept of "helicopter air ways....IP's and/or RP's based upon GPS data" was first broached way back in the early 90's.
Heck....I remember the response from one fellow when the simple concept of using a half mile offset track to avoid nose to nose situations when two aircraft were using the same track but going in opposite directions. It was something along the line of "The customer would not accept the extra flying time....translated from "Not invented here!".
It sounds like it has not happened yet.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jankara
Age: 64
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Chc Go - Your Pilot Friendly Management
CHC Global Ops management seems really determined to make themselves popular with their pilot workforce (or are they their pilot workforce?). It seems that the company is so against recognising the pilots' association that it has declared to the Canadian labour board that CHC GO pilots are not truly employees of CHC but are in fact agents hired and seconded to other foreign jurisdictions
So what - we're all James Bonds now? If we are, maybe we need to go over to Richmond and show them what a 00 prefix is all about. So, if you're considering employment with CHC GO outside of Canada or Europe, bear in mind that you're not actually employed by them, just some kind of hired help loaned out to a foreign jurisdiction. What rights do you think you have in an Angolan, Cameroonian, Nigerian or Equatorial Guinean court?
So what - we're all James Bonds now? If we are, maybe we need to go over to Richmond and show them what a 00 prefix is all about. So, if you're considering employment with CHC GO outside of Canada or Europe, bear in mind that you're not actually employed by them, just some kind of hired help loaned out to a foreign jurisdiction. What rights do you think you have in an Angolan, Cameroonian, Nigerian or Equatorial Guinean court?
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: DXB
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nigeria: MEND Leader, Jomo Gbomo Arrested in Angola
The presumed head of the Niger Delta militant body, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, who goes under the name of Jomo Gbomo, has been arrested in Angola, sources said yesterday.
Security sources who asked not to be identified said Gbomo was arrested by the Angolan authorities whilst negotiating an arms deal.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200709220074.html
Security sources who asked not to be identified said Gbomo was arrested by the Angolan authorities whilst negotiating an arms deal.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200709220074.html
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Of course you're not employed by us - what, you think you have rights or something? As we said, we were going to open our office in Guinea, but their labor laws don't fit in with our business ethic, and besides the place is warm enough that people may want to go visit the office there. No sirree, we're selling the land we bought in Port Harcourt (it was far too good for a bunch of ungrateful foreign agents anyway) and as we've deemed you all to be foreign agents, we're reinvesting that money to set up a pubic corporation in Farah city Afghanistan. This will be the new HQ of CHC GO and all administration of our foreign agents will be carried out from there. The offices will be right next to the new orphanage and Shir Pir construction will be starting work on getting the canvas in to erect the tent real soon. All communication between us (heretofore to be called the Bosses) and you (heretofore to be calles the foreign agents) will be by surface mail to comply with our company ethics in combating terrorism on the internet. As it's unlikely the Afghan National Bank (Bank-i-Milli Afghanistan) has a branch near you, in future all staff will be paid in cash in Afghanis at the end of their tour. This will confirm that you are indeed foreign agents, and help you all to solve any problems with personal income tax.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Lost and Legless somewhere in LaLaLand
Age: 77
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pilots are so happy with the CHC management in Nigeria that even expats recently converted on to the AW139 are now leaving 
. The recent announcement of Ian Richards taking over as General Manager in Port Harcourt will do nothing to help matters, given the satisfaction he gave when he was in his crew planning post. Also seems like K2 is running almost everything here now. Has CHC lost the plot? Maybe they'll find out too late that it's all very well having lots of shiny new toys and even a big new box to store them in (once the doors are sorted out), but if they don't look after the guys who are going to play with them, a lot of the toys will be staying right there in their boxes.
. The recent announcement of Ian Richards taking over as General Manager in Port Harcourt will do nothing to help matters, given the satisfaction he gave when he was in his crew planning post. Also seems like K2 is running almost everything here now. Has CHC lost the plot? Maybe they'll find out too late that it's all very well having lots of shiny new toys and even a big new box to store them in (once the doors are sorted out), but if they don't look after the guys who are going to play with them, a lot of the toys will be staying right there in their boxes.
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: In the Haven of Peace
Age: 79
Posts: 600
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jomo Arrested?
FT,
Interestingly, a Daily Telegraph reporter is now casting doubt on that report and MEND may well be starting kidnaps and attacks on oil installations again starting from tonight:
It seems the relative peace of the last few few weeks may be finishing soon. Be very vigilant in the coming weeks.
Interestingly, a Daily Telegraph reporter is now casting doubt on that report and MEND may well be starting kidnaps and attacks on oil installations again starting from tonight:
from jomo gbomo, sept 23rd
The Nigerian electronic and print media have recently reported my arrest and detention in Luanda, Angola .
This falsehood is being propagated by the Nigerian government, and by all indication, this government is unwilling to justly resolve the crisis in the Niger Delta. Rather, they have chosen to follow the footsteps of their predecessor by attempting to divide and rule the indigenes of the niger delta.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), is committed to the fight for justice and ultimately the emancipation of the people of the Niger Delta. We will not sit back and allow our birth right to be exchanged for a bowl of porridge. The government has so far concentrated its resources in bribing the so-called militants,
politicians and supposed elders of the Niger Delta.
With effect from 12 midnight today, Sunday 23, 2007, we will commence attacks on installations and abduction of expatriates. There will be no forewarning of these attacks but a statement will follow soon after.
Jomo Gbomo
The Nigerian electronic and print media have recently reported my arrest and detention in Luanda, Angola .
This falsehood is being propagated by the Nigerian government, and by all indication, this government is unwilling to justly resolve the crisis in the Niger Delta. Rather, they have chosen to follow the footsteps of their predecessor by attempting to divide and rule the indigenes of the niger delta.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), is committed to the fight for justice and ultimately the emancipation of the people of the Niger Delta. We will not sit back and allow our birth right to be exchanged for a bowl of porridge. The government has so far concentrated its resources in bribing the so-called militants,
politicians and supposed elders of the Niger Delta.
With effect from 12 midnight today, Sunday 23, 2007, we will commence attacks on installations and abduction of expatriates. There will be no forewarning of these attacks but a statement will follow soon after.
Jomo Gbomo
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: All over the place
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting reading.
Nigeria, always a little different.
http://lawfuel.com/show-release.asp?ID=15349
Nigeria, always a little different.
http://lawfuel.com/show-release.asp?ID=15349
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Oz
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bristow Shananigans
Thank you Rotor Rooter for the news clip. Being on the NYSE brings accountability.
I also see no reasons why CHC aren't doing the same. They just haven't been caught yet.
I also see no reasons why CHC aren't doing the same. They just haven't been caught yet.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jankara
Age: 64
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One Expatriate Killed in Port Harcourt
As forecast by many, the relative calm of the last few weeks in Port Harcourt has been violently shattered today. Despite the assurances from the JTF and the government that everything is now under control, there has been an armed attack on the Saipem base in Port Harcourt this afternoon. It's not clear who is responsible for the attack as yet, but both AP and Reuters are reporting that the attack was made from the waterside on the Saipem yard (next to the Aker base where Bristow used to have a 212 operation), by 10 armed men wearing military combat fatigues. It's reported that during the attack one expatriate worker was killed and another expat and a Nigerian worker taken hostage. There have been quite a few flights into the helipad at the Saipem yard recently - I wonder if anyone carried out a security assessment as part of the safety survey on the helipad?