What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
I Try To Be Good !!
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Why did Bristow wait until the pay review is actually due before they decided to carry out a survey using an expensive consultancy ? Why not do it in time to complete the review on time ? Or am I being cynical ? 
Nigerian In Law
GMIA,
Why indeed.
I reckon that'll cost 'em, especially on operations that already have serious morale problems. And there are at least a couple of those. 
HR's inhumanity to man; a corruption of a famous cliche but somehow appropriate in this case. Let's see how many jump. Maybe a sweepstake ?
NEO
Why indeed.
I reckon that'll cost 'em, especially on operations that already have serious morale problems. And there are at least a couple of those. HR's inhumanity to man; a corruption of a famous cliche but somehow appropriate in this case. Let's see how many jump. Maybe a sweepstake ?
NEO
GMIA,
Have you not learned how Bristow operates?
Now they can look you in the eye and brag how they have an outsider review the situation and upon receipt of the report at some unspecified point in the future.....will then be able to do what is right by the hired help.
Can you say "delay or stall"?
But then that begs the question....why have a HR department with assorted drones only to pay outside consultants to do the work of the HR department?
Perhaps if they fired the HR department and hire one clerk typist to fill out the forms and let the CE and CP (in Bristow's structure...Engineering Manager and Flying Superintendent) do the hiring things would be a bit better.
Knowing Bristow....The Majah and PeeWee comedy team would move up and share that office thus as usual Bristow would find the exact best way to make a bad situation worse.
Perhaps they should bring in Tyreburst to rescue the situation as he has world renown management abilities specializing in HR issues.
Have you not learned how Bristow operates?
Now they can look you in the eye and brag how they have an outsider review the situation and upon receipt of the report at some unspecified point in the future.....will then be able to do what is right by the hired help.
Can you say "delay or stall"?
But then that begs the question....why have a HR department with assorted drones only to pay outside consultants to do the work of the HR department?
Perhaps if they fired the HR department and hire one clerk typist to fill out the forms and let the CE and CP (in Bristow's structure...Engineering Manager and Flying Superintendent) do the hiring things would be a bit better.
Knowing Bristow....The Majah and PeeWee comedy team would move up and share that office thus as usual Bristow would find the exact best way to make a bad situation worse.
Perhaps they should bring in Tyreburst to rescue the situation as he has world renown management abilities specializing in HR issues.
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Sasless,
How right you are
We keep getting told everything is fine and that there are enough pilots and engineers to go around when there obviously aren't. Then a last minute survey about how we work. What planet is the moron who ordered this late poll from ?? 
I hear another two pilots resigned from Eket last week. That place really has a problem retaining people and replacements are not exactly queuing out the door
When will the Mannijment realise they are going to end up paying more in penalties than they are saving by letting the guys rot in terrible conditions ?
How right you are
We keep getting told everything is fine and that there are enough pilots and engineers to go around when there obviously aren't. Then a last minute survey about how we work. What planet is the moron who ordered this late poll from ?? I hear another two pilots resigned from Eket last week. That place really has a problem retaining people and replacements are not exactly queuing out the door
When will the Mannijment realise they are going to end up paying more in penalties than they are saving by letting the guys rot in terrible conditions ?
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British Now A Target In The Niger Delta
NEO,
OK the 2 from Eket and the 1 from Escravos are a start to the sweepstake. The real money must be on how many more go from Eket and another sweepstake as to when the Bristow operation there finishes
Meanwhile, after the kidnapping of 2 germans from construction giant Julius Berger, from a heavily protected, armed escorted convoy in Port Harcourt on Friday, MEND have announced an end to their ceasefire and made a specific threat to target British nationals as the press announcement from Jomo Gbomo makes clear:
But that's okay, as far as Bristow is concerned they have a stack of applications from suitably qualified pilots and why shouldn't they delay any announcement on a pay review - all the big oggas sitting on their fat asses in their safe, air-conditioned offices don't have to put up with the daily danger and cr@p conditions in the Niger Delta
OK the 2 from Eket and the 1 from Escravos are a start to the sweepstake. The real money must be on how many more go from Eket and another sweepstake as to when the Bristow operation there finishes
Meanwhile, after the kidnapping of 2 germans from construction giant Julius Berger, from a heavily protected, armed escorted convoy in Port Harcourt on Friday, MEND have announced an end to their ceasefire and made a specific threat to target British nationals as the press announcement from Jomo Gbomo makes clear:
From: Jomo Gbomo
Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 23:36:39 -0700
Subject: Warning to Gordon Brown & Resumption of Hostilities
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) wishes to sound a stern warning to the British Prime Minister, Mr Gordon Brown over his recent statement offering to provide military support to the illegal government of Umaru Yar'Adua in further oppressing the impoverished people of the Niger Delta.
To demonstrate our seriousness to the UK support of an injustice, MEND will be calling off its unilateral ceasefire with effect from midnight, saturday July 12, 2008.
Mr Yar'Adua in a fraudulent appeal to the G8 leaders in Japan, misled the international community into believing that the unrest and agitation in the region is due to oil theft which encourages "blood oil".
The international community and independent researchers are very well aware that the unrest in the region is as a result of over five decades of oil exploration that has developed other parts of Nigeria to the detriment of the environment and people of the Niger Delta.
The United Kingdom is part of this problem with the politics it played pre- independence that gave leverage to some sections of the country which has helped in marginalizing and exploiting the region today.
Should Gordon Brown make good his threat to support this criminality for the sake of oil, UK citizens and interests in Nigeria will suffer the consequences.
Jomo Gbomo
Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 23:36:39 -0700
Subject: Warning to Gordon Brown & Resumption of Hostilities
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) wishes to sound a stern warning to the British Prime Minister, Mr Gordon Brown over his recent statement offering to provide military support to the illegal government of Umaru Yar'Adua in further oppressing the impoverished people of the Niger Delta.
To demonstrate our seriousness to the UK support of an injustice, MEND will be calling off its unilateral ceasefire with effect from midnight, saturday July 12, 2008.
Mr Yar'Adua in a fraudulent appeal to the G8 leaders in Japan, misled the international community into believing that the unrest and agitation in the region is due to oil theft which encourages "blood oil".
The international community and independent researchers are very well aware that the unrest in the region is as a result of over five decades of oil exploration that has developed other parts of Nigeria to the detriment of the environment and people of the Niger Delta.
The United Kingdom is part of this problem with the politics it played pre- independence that gave leverage to some sections of the country which has helped in marginalizing and exploiting the region today.
Should Gordon Brown make good his threat to support this criminality for the sake of oil, UK citizens and interests in Nigeria will suffer the consequences.
Jomo Gbomo
If MEND were ever to snatch the Majah....in short order they would be paying Bristow to take him back!
Hopefully, NEO will be safe as long as he dresses in local mufti and adopts a Scouse dialect.....MEND would reckon he is from one of the Lost Tribes or something.
As to comparing the air con'ed office life to a working stiff's life in salubrious Eket....Pearl of the Niger Delta....why dear boy...you are catered to beyond compare....why you can even take three forths of your daily per diem home for leave expenses. What reason do you have to complain?
Paper cuts, and tea stains on your shirt far exceeds whatever imagined hardship you dream up to whine about.
Where's that lick upper stick.....errrrrr....stiff upper lip?
Hopefully, NEO will be safe as long as he dresses in local mufti and adopts a Scouse dialect.....MEND would reckon he is from one of the Lost Tribes or something.
As to comparing the air con'ed office life to a working stiff's life in salubrious Eket....Pearl of the Niger Delta....why dear boy...you are catered to beyond compare....why you can even take three forths of your daily per diem home for leave expenses. What reason do you have to complain?
Paper cuts, and tea stains on your shirt far exceeds whatever imagined hardship you dream up to whine about.
Where's that lick upper stick.....errrrrr....stiff upper lip?
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Uk Fco Warning On Travel To Nigeria
The British Government has warned its nationals against all travel to the Delta States and, indeed, advises them to leave:
FCO Advice to British Nationals
As was proven by the kidnapping of the 2 German nationals from Julius Berger travelling in an armed convoy, the terrorists in the Niger Delta have the ability to strike almost at will, despite the presence of paramilitary protection. The Nigerian armed forces and police are almost powerless against these people, are renowned for running away and, indeed, are suspected of collusion with militants. Personal security is not something to be taken lightly at the moment and if your company is not providing the level of security you require at your workplace, housing or en route to work, you should make sure they start to fulfil their duty of care to you.
Both Bristow and CHC have delayed announcements of pay reviews in recent weeks. They are playing with reasonable compensation for the danger to which personnel are exposed, so make sure they're not playing with adequate security for you as well.
FCO Advice to British Nationals
Terrorism/Security
We advise against all travel to the Delta States (Delta, Bayelsa and River States, including Port Harcourt) and advise British nationals in these States to leave. We also advise against all travel to riverine areas of Cross River State (i.e. the river and swamp locations on or close to the coast accessible by boat, but not by road). We advise British nationals in these areas to leave. We also advise against all but essential travel to Akwa Ibom State. This is because of the very high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas. Since January 2006, 36 British nationals (including one child) and more than 180 other foreign nationals have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta area, with one British national being killed.
On 10 July, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) announced that it would end its ceasefire from midnight on 12 July 2008, and threatened to attack British interests in Nigeria. We believe that armed groups may be planning further attacks on oil and gas industry targets in the Delta, and on other non-oil and gas industry targets and individuals throughout the country. The high risk of further kidnappings by armed militants around the oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta also applies to ships and oil rigs at sea off the coast of the Niger Delta. Since 2007 there has been an increase in attacks offshore. On 19 June, an oil production platform 120km offshore was attacked, and a US citizen abducted from a nearby support vessel. On 21 October 2007, in a violent armed attack on an offshore support vessel, three expatriates were abducted. On 27 September 2007, an oil company compound outside Port Harcourt was attacked. One Colombian oil worker was killed and two other expatriates kidnapped.
If you decide to travel to or remain in these areas it would be reckless to do so unless and until you have taken full, appropriate professional security advice and have acted on it. You must be vigilant at all times and make sure that your local host and family know your travel plans and timings. You should register with the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos on arrival. Limit your movements to only essential journeys. Vary your routines. If travelling by road you should only travel in fully protected transport. Keep your car doors locked and windows closed and maintain telephone or radio communications to report your movements. You should consider permanent armed protection, but be aware that even this cannot guarantee your safety. The government has heightened its security presence in Port Harcourt. Many companies have introduced strict restrictions on travel. If you are a resident British national, you should follow your employer’s local security guidelines. On 18 December 2006 two bombs exploded in Port Harcourt, one in a Shell residential compound and the other at Agip’s headquarters. Further attacks are possible. As a result Shell have evacuated all dependants from the residential compound in Port Harcourt. Other companies have followed suit.
You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.
On 1 January 2008 there were nineteen reported fatalities in Port Harcourt when armed militants attacked two police stations and a hotel. The Presidential Hotel in the commercial centre of Port Harcourt is popular with expatriates.
On 30 December 2007, the Nigerian authorities lifted the curfew in Rivers State, but the curfew (1800-0600) in Okrika Local Government Area remains in place. You should avoid going to public places in Port Harcourt frequented by expatriates, including bars and restaurants. If you encounter a threatening or intimidating situation do not try to make your way through it, turn around and go home. On 10 August 2007, a British national was abducted from his car when driving to work in Port Harcourt.
We have received reports of an attempt to try to lure an expatriate to a meeting at a remote location near Port Harcourt. It is believed that this was an attempted kidnap. When arranging meetings in Nigeria you should ensure that the contact is known to you, and that the meeting is held at a secure location.
Due to the regular increases in the level of violence in Port Harcourt, the High Commission Liaison Office, British Council and VFS Office are subject to closure at short notice. Closure and reopening of the offices will be reflected in this travel advice.
There is also a risk of politically or financially motivated kidnapping throughout south eastern Nigeria. On 17 March 2007 two Chinese workers were abducted at Nnewi, Anambra State. A British national was one of two foreign nationals abducted from a vessel in a riverine area of Cross River State on 8 July.
There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
We advise against all travel to the Delta States (Delta, Bayelsa and River States, including Port Harcourt) and advise British nationals in these States to leave. We also advise against all travel to riverine areas of Cross River State (i.e. the river and swamp locations on or close to the coast accessible by boat, but not by road). We advise British nationals in these areas to leave. We also advise against all but essential travel to Akwa Ibom State. This is because of the very high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas. Since January 2006, 36 British nationals (including one child) and more than 180 other foreign nationals have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta area, with one British national being killed.
On 10 July, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) announced that it would end its ceasefire from midnight on 12 July 2008, and threatened to attack British interests in Nigeria. We believe that armed groups may be planning further attacks on oil and gas industry targets in the Delta, and on other non-oil and gas industry targets and individuals throughout the country. The high risk of further kidnappings by armed militants around the oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta also applies to ships and oil rigs at sea off the coast of the Niger Delta. Since 2007 there has been an increase in attacks offshore. On 19 June, an oil production platform 120km offshore was attacked, and a US citizen abducted from a nearby support vessel. On 21 October 2007, in a violent armed attack on an offshore support vessel, three expatriates were abducted. On 27 September 2007, an oil company compound outside Port Harcourt was attacked. One Colombian oil worker was killed and two other expatriates kidnapped.
If you decide to travel to or remain in these areas it would be reckless to do so unless and until you have taken full, appropriate professional security advice and have acted on it. You must be vigilant at all times and make sure that your local host and family know your travel plans and timings. You should register with the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos on arrival. Limit your movements to only essential journeys. Vary your routines. If travelling by road you should only travel in fully protected transport. Keep your car doors locked and windows closed and maintain telephone or radio communications to report your movements. You should consider permanent armed protection, but be aware that even this cannot guarantee your safety. The government has heightened its security presence in Port Harcourt. Many companies have introduced strict restrictions on travel. If you are a resident British national, you should follow your employer’s local security guidelines. On 18 December 2006 two bombs exploded in Port Harcourt, one in a Shell residential compound and the other at Agip’s headquarters. Further attacks are possible. As a result Shell have evacuated all dependants from the residential compound in Port Harcourt. Other companies have followed suit.
You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.
On 1 January 2008 there were nineteen reported fatalities in Port Harcourt when armed militants attacked two police stations and a hotel. The Presidential Hotel in the commercial centre of Port Harcourt is popular with expatriates.
On 30 December 2007, the Nigerian authorities lifted the curfew in Rivers State, but the curfew (1800-0600) in Okrika Local Government Area remains in place. You should avoid going to public places in Port Harcourt frequented by expatriates, including bars and restaurants. If you encounter a threatening or intimidating situation do not try to make your way through it, turn around and go home. On 10 August 2007, a British national was abducted from his car when driving to work in Port Harcourt.
We have received reports of an attempt to try to lure an expatriate to a meeting at a remote location near Port Harcourt. It is believed that this was an attempted kidnap. When arranging meetings in Nigeria you should ensure that the contact is known to you, and that the meeting is held at a secure location.
Due to the regular increases in the level of violence in Port Harcourt, the High Commission Liaison Office, British Council and VFS Office are subject to closure at short notice. Closure and reopening of the offices will be reflected in this travel advice.
There is also a risk of politically or financially motivated kidnapping throughout south eastern Nigeria. On 17 March 2007 two Chinese workers were abducted at Nnewi, Anambra State. A British national was one of two foreign nationals abducted from a vessel in a riverine area of Cross River State on 8 July.
There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
Both Bristow and CHC have delayed announcements of pay reviews in recent weeks. They are playing with reasonable compensation for the danger to which personnel are exposed, so make sure they're not playing with adequate security for you as well.
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The deal fell through...
They found a guy that promised on-site delivery, using one of these helicopter thingies I keep hearing about, where all I could come up with was delivery to the airstrip. Score one for rotary-wing there I guess.
Joking aside, how much worse can it get? The news is pretty dire.
Isn't it interesting how none of this seems to make the news? What, no pictures of starving kiddies with big eyes or mad b*ggers in clapped-out Toyota pick-ups with quad 12.7 mm. AA guns, is that the problem? I guess you guys are on your own for now. Keep your heads down for heaven's sake!
Joking aside, how much worse can it get? The news is pretty dire.
Isn't it interesting how none of this seems to make the news? What, no pictures of starving kiddies with big eyes or mad b*ggers in clapped-out Toyota pick-ups with quad 12.7 mm. AA guns, is that the problem? I guess you guys are on your own for now. Keep your heads down for heaven's sake!
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Texas Armoring Corporation to the Rescue!
I guess what's really needed by the crews in the Delta now is one of the vehicles on offer from Texas Armoring Corporation:
Armored Vehicles
They've just announced a new range of vehicles specifically for the Nigerian Niger Delta region
You can 100% bet that the only people driving around in them will be the crooked politicians and their cronies who have brought about the present state of affairs. For Caverton it will be the Kia saloon as usual and for Bristow and Aero the cheapest Toyota bus available (complete with blue curtains in the case of Aero/CHC 
).
Armored Vehicles
They've just announced a new range of vehicles specifically for the Nigerian Niger Delta region
AN ANTONIO, TX, Jul 10, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Texas Armoring Corporation, a leading worldwide supplier of armored vehicles and bulletproof cars, announced today a new product line of armored vehicles specifically manufactured to protect occupants traveling in the Niger Delta region. The newly offered "Nigeria Package" will be available starting Monday, July 14, 2008 on select models. According to Trent Kimball, President & CEO of Texas Armoring Corporation, the Nigeria Package will "offer superior bulletproof protection against AK-47 & M-16 threats" and will also include some James Bond type accessories such as electric shocking door handles, a smoke screen system, a road tack dispensing system, flashing strobe lights, a hidden siren/loudspeaker system, and a secure dead bolt door locking system. Kimball says that the "violence in Nigeria is deplorable [and that] Texas Armoring Corporation is ready to build custom bullet-resistant vehicles to protect businessmen, dignitaries, and other distinguished individuals throughout West Africa."
The Nigerian Package will include European Level B6+ armoring (boasting nearly two-inch-thick bulletproof glass) and will be available for a special price on the following models:
-- 2008 Toyota Landcruiser
-- 2008 Lexus LX570
-- 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
-- 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
-- 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
-- 2008 Land Rover Range Rover
-- 2008 HUMMER H2 & H3
With the recent increase in violence, kidnappings-for-ransom, and militant attacks on businesses, the need for civilian armored vehicles has never been greater in Nigeria. According to Kimball, "with the widening gap between the rich and poor throughout Africa, the level of violence has increased dramatically. Anyone with a moderate level of financial stability in Nigeria is potentially at risk for an attack. We've bulletproofed vehicles for numerous presidents and politicians in the past, but recently we've found that even general businesspeople are in need of armored protection. Our goal is to provide our clients with superior protection, while helping them maintain a low profile. It follows that each of our vehicles maintains the original factory finish as closely as possible, and that we only use extremely high-end materials in each vehicle we produce. Our focus is on hand-crafted quality, and you don't become the market leader by cutting corners."
Kimball went on to say that Texas Armoring has made efforts to reach out to large multinational corporations in Nigeria with good results, but that there is still a great need for protection in the corporate community in Nigeria and that Texas Armoring is prepared to meet demand.
The Nigerian Package will include European Level B6+ armoring (boasting nearly two-inch-thick bulletproof glass) and will be available for a special price on the following models:
-- 2008 Toyota Landcruiser
-- 2008 Lexus LX570
-- 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
-- 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
-- 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
-- 2008 Land Rover Range Rover
-- 2008 HUMMER H2 & H3
With the recent increase in violence, kidnappings-for-ransom, and militant attacks on businesses, the need for civilian armored vehicles has never been greater in Nigeria. According to Kimball, "with the widening gap between the rich and poor throughout Africa, the level of violence has increased dramatically. Anyone with a moderate level of financial stability in Nigeria is potentially at risk for an attack. We've bulletproofed vehicles for numerous presidents and politicians in the past, but recently we've found that even general businesspeople are in need of armored protection. Our goal is to provide our clients with superior protection, while helping them maintain a low profile. It follows that each of our vehicles maintains the original factory finish as closely as possible, and that we only use extremely high-end materials in each vehicle we produce. Our focus is on hand-crafted quality, and you don't become the market leader by cutting corners."
Kimball went on to say that Texas Armoring has made efforts to reach out to large multinational corporations in Nigeria with good results, but that there is still a great need for protection in the corporate community in Nigeria and that Texas Armoring is prepared to meet demand.
).
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ETIENNE T BOY
Correct me if Im wrong and no doub't some one will but was it not that wonderful employee caring company Bristow who implemented at great expense an AMOURED package to there mini bus after one got shot up.
" Curtains " at the windows so the nasty AK47 packing man could not see in wasn't it.
Correct me if Im wrong and no doub't some one will but was it not that wonderful employee caring company Bristow who implemented at great expense an AMOURED package to there mini bus after one got shot up.
" Curtains " at the windows so the nasty AK47 packing man could not see in wasn't it.
Nigerian In Law
From The Horses Mouth
Maybe Chuks would care to comment on the minibus Kevlar curtain affair following the attempted bus robbery in Lagos ? After all, he was there.
Not calling you a horse by the way !
NEO
Not calling you a horse by the way !
NEO
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The Julius Berger expats were travelling in an armoured Merc G escorted by 2 dozen+ soldiers, and look what happened. Bristow is smarter than that: Pack all your staff into a clapped out Toyota Minibus, let them take the same route at the same time every day, a pick up truck with 2 Mopol sporting Nike running shoes and uniforms that are attached with velcro to their area boys outfit underneath, wielding a wip and stick at unsuspecting passers by...the bad guys immediately smell a rat: This surely is a trap of some sort! Probably thought out by security advisers, who are better paid than the pilots/engineers who seem to be happy enough to accept this arrangement without complaining.
After the Bristow van shoot-out....I reckon the Brits ought to wear Kevlar unders from what I heard.
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Sasless, very true !! I wonder if that Dornier pilot kept the bullet for "posterity" 
Things not looking good at Eket, a lot of people applying elsewhere as they can't see any improvements in the pipeline and don't hold out any hope of a transfer to a "nice" operation. After all, who would replace them ?
The pay review delay has sealed it for at least three guys. Good old HR
Things not looking good at Eket, a lot of people applying elsewhere as they can't see any improvements in the pipeline and don't hold out any hope of a transfer to a "nice" operation. After all, who would replace them ?
The pay review delay has sealed it for at least three guys. Good old HR
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GMIA,
I know about the 3 who left earlier in the year, the one who quit last month and the 2 new guys - is there another now as well? Is it HR who have asked for a pay review just days after it should all have been completed? Nothing surprises me any more. Too many companies run by guys in sharp suits all with the gelled hair, warm smiles MBAs and absolutely no people skills or CDF Whatever happened to the personnel managers we used to have who actually knew the people with whose fate they were dealing. Naturally these HR geniuses are accountable to nobody and have the gift only of expanding their own empires and importance. The people who stay on at Eket have to struggle with the increasing workload imposed by these mental pygmies every day, while they sit around in their comfortable, air-conditioned offices drinking real coffee, making sure they get a good lunch break in the (subsidised) staff canteen 
. I pity the new MD, he's going to find it hard to get a good profit-related bonus with an operation which will be incapable of operating soon. Engineering shortages are even more critical than pilot shortages right now and an 'initiative' telling personnel they have to wait yet again, at the same time as new threats are issued against expatriates and governments issue warnings to their nationals to leave the Niger delta area, serve yet again to prove to many that their services are not really valued, in fact the statement by Richard Burman already mentioned on this thread, merely shows that the senior managers believe that the services of personnel in Nigeria are over-valued. It's interesting to note that several of the pilots who have quit have done so to go to Abu Dhabi Aviation, despite the money being less and the accommodation worse than in Eket. It seems that there are quite a number of job vacancies now in Angola, especially with their oil output now exceeding that of Nigeria. It seems that Eket is getting close to the point at which normal service will not be resumed as soon as possible, but there's no rush is there, it's just pilots and engineers and they're ten a penny - why I juts bet that management has had to reinforce their desks to withstand the weight of the applications of adequately qualified personnel willing to go to Nigeria 
I know about the 3 who left earlier in the year, the one who quit last month and the 2 new guys - is there another now as well? Is it HR who have asked for a pay review just days after it should all have been completed? Nothing surprises me any more. Too many companies run by guys in sharp suits all with the gelled hair, warm smiles MBAs and absolutely no people skills or CDF
Whatever happened to the personnel managers we used to have who actually knew the people with whose fate they were dealing. Naturally these HR geniuses are accountable to nobody and have the gift only of expanding their own empires and importance. The people who stay on at Eket have to struggle with the increasing workload imposed by these mental pygmies every day, while they sit around in their comfortable, air-conditioned offices drinking real coffee, making sure they get a good lunch break in the (subsidised) staff canteen . I pity the new MD, he's going to find it hard to get a good profit-related bonus with an operation which will be incapable of operating soon. Engineering shortages are even more critical than pilot shortages right now and an 'initiative' telling personnel they have to wait yet again, at the same time as new threats are issued against expatriates and governments issue warnings to their nationals to leave the Niger delta area, serve yet again to prove to many that their services are not really valued, in fact the statement by Richard Burman already mentioned on this thread, merely shows that the senior managers believe that the services of personnel in Nigeria are over-valued. It's interesting to note that several of the pilots who have quit have done so to go to Abu Dhabi Aviation, despite the money being less and the accommodation worse than in Eket. It seems that there are quite a number of job vacancies now in Angola, especially with their oil output now exceeding that of Nigeria. It seems that Eket is getting close to the point at which normal service will not be resumed as soon as possible, but there's no rush is there, it's just pilots and engineers and they're ten a penny - why I juts bet that management has had to reinforce their desks to withstand the weight of the applications of adequately qualified personnel willing to go to Nigeria
Reckon the absence of pilots for Eket is indicative of the workload being carried by the stalwart HR types.....or simply the absence of human resources for them to manage?
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You called, sire?
After you beat me out of that generator deal I really shouldn't even be speaking to you, so to speak, but...
As to the gunfight at the Chicken Tetrazzini Corral on 10 September 2001:
One of the other two pilots is going to keep his bullet (fragment, I think it is,) since it's embedded in his lower back in a place where it's riskier to try to remove it than to just leave it there. A little to one side and he'd be living life in a wheelchair. Or a little to the other and he might have bled to death instead of just making a real mess in the back of that Ssangyong bus. I gave him some first aid but shock had made him stop bleeding on his own by the time I got his pants down.
The other pilot has recovered from his leg wound, I think. Again, he was lucky not to have been more seriously wounded.
The driver did a great job in that even though he was really scared he stayed at the helm and responded to my shouts of "Go! Go! Go!"
The engineer next to him and the one down the back were both too frightened to be much use to anyone but that is life. I guess no one had ever shot at them before?
In the immediate aftermath one of our managers was brushing the back of my shirt, when I asked him why. He said, "You have something on the back of your shirt, lint or something," when we just thought I had brushed up against something. I didn't think about it any further at the time.
I was in the very same bus on the way to the BRC from the airport, returning from leave following this palaver, when I was sat right behind the seat I had occupied during the shooting incident. I then noticed a tiny hole in the seat back covering and another tiny hole in the seat back facing. Connecting the dots showed that a bullet fragment must have gone slanting across my shoulders as I was bent over keeping my head down.
I knew about the bullet through the headrest, the bullet through the windscreen and the bullet that went just past my ankles but I had missed this other bullet fragment. Once I saw the holes then I knew that the lint on my shirt must have come from seat upholstery blown out by that fragment, definitely "the one with my name on it."
Normally one of my engineer friends would sit next to me but he had decided to have the full English breakfast and come on the 0900 bus that day. Otherwise I expect one or the other of us would have been hit too. So much for fate, eh?
I told this story to a German friend when he just looked at me and asked, "Why are you still working there?" All I could do was shrug. Well, I suppose it had something to do with money... There is a lot more to it than that but money talks. It is just that it probably doesn't talk as loudly as your average manager thinks it does! You need to live to spend it.
I am working in North Africa now, out in the Sahara flying a Twin Otter that is based at a bush strip. The locals are much easier to work with than Nigerians and it's much safer here but it is still Africa. Management, well, it is still aviation with all the problems trying to squeeze a buck out of this business.
On the whole, yes, I am much happier now, not wondering when the next attack might come. That is to say, in Isolo we would go right past the same corner there by Chicken Tetrazzini in the same bus at almost the same time of day, when all that had changed was that now we had the famous Kevlar curtains. That really was pretty lame, yes, given that armoured vehicles are available.
Another thing was that the account of what happened was rearranged so that we were shot up driving away, when the reality was that those clowns were just going to keep shooting until they were out of ammo, I think. I counted about ten shots before I thought, "Well, no sense hanging around any longer, I think." These guys must have failed Armed Robbery 101 and got a "Must Do Better" in Basic Marksmanship, not that I am complaining about that.
Until it happens to you there is some mechanism that lets you think it isn't going to happen to you. Afterwards it becomes much harder to carry on.
Good luck to all of you still carrying on. In fact, if the deal hadn't fallen through I was headed back yet again but then they knocked that one on the head. I found that I really didn't mind all that much. I think you will find that most of the guys who have left find that life outside is better than life inside so that you might want to think about leaving while the leaving is good.
As to the gunfight at the Chicken Tetrazzini Corral on 10 September 2001:
One of the other two pilots is going to keep his bullet (fragment, I think it is,) since it's embedded in his lower back in a place where it's riskier to try to remove it than to just leave it there. A little to one side and he'd be living life in a wheelchair. Or a little to the other and he might have bled to death instead of just making a real mess in the back of that Ssangyong bus. I gave him some first aid but shock had made him stop bleeding on his own by the time I got his pants down.
The other pilot has recovered from his leg wound, I think. Again, he was lucky not to have been more seriously wounded.
The driver did a great job in that even though he was really scared he stayed at the helm and responded to my shouts of "Go! Go! Go!"
The engineer next to him and the one down the back were both too frightened to be much use to anyone but that is life. I guess no one had ever shot at them before?
In the immediate aftermath one of our managers was brushing the back of my shirt, when I asked him why. He said, "You have something on the back of your shirt, lint or something," when we just thought I had brushed up against something. I didn't think about it any further at the time.
I was in the very same bus on the way to the BRC from the airport, returning from leave following this palaver, when I was sat right behind the seat I had occupied during the shooting incident. I then noticed a tiny hole in the seat back covering and another tiny hole in the seat back facing. Connecting the dots showed that a bullet fragment must have gone slanting across my shoulders as I was bent over keeping my head down.
I knew about the bullet through the headrest, the bullet through the windscreen and the bullet that went just past my ankles but I had missed this other bullet fragment. Once I saw the holes then I knew that the lint on my shirt must have come from seat upholstery blown out by that fragment, definitely "the one with my name on it."
Normally one of my engineer friends would sit next to me but he had decided to have the full English breakfast and come on the 0900 bus that day. Otherwise I expect one or the other of us would have been hit too. So much for fate, eh?
I told this story to a German friend when he just looked at me and asked, "Why are you still working there?" All I could do was shrug. Well, I suppose it had something to do with money... There is a lot more to it than that but money talks. It is just that it probably doesn't talk as loudly as your average manager thinks it does! You need to live to spend it.
I am working in North Africa now, out in the Sahara flying a Twin Otter that is based at a bush strip. The locals are much easier to work with than Nigerians and it's much safer here but it is still Africa. Management, well, it is still aviation with all the problems trying to squeeze a buck out of this business.
On the whole, yes, I am much happier now, not wondering when the next attack might come. That is to say, in Isolo we would go right past the same corner there by Chicken Tetrazzini in the same bus at almost the same time of day, when all that had changed was that now we had the famous Kevlar curtains. That really was pretty lame, yes, given that armoured vehicles are available.
Another thing was that the account of what happened was rearranged so that we were shot up driving away, when the reality was that those clowns were just going to keep shooting until they were out of ammo, I think. I counted about ten shots before I thought, "Well, no sense hanging around any longer, I think." These guys must have failed Armed Robbery 101 and got a "Must Do Better" in Basic Marksmanship, not that I am complaining about that.
Until it happens to you there is some mechanism that lets you think it isn't going to happen to you. Afterwards it becomes much harder to carry on.
Good luck to all of you still carrying on. In fact, if the deal hadn't fallen through I was headed back yet again but then they knocked that one on the head. I found that I really didn't mind all that much. I think you will find that most of the guys who have left find that life outside is better than life inside so that you might want to think about leaving while the leaving is good.