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What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)

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What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)

Old 15th Feb 2012, 17:38
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Re: Big Mike

Collapsed suddenly last Sunday in Eket, early in the morning.
There is a memorial website now up and running
Light a Candle in Memory of Mobolaji (Mike) Odunuga
Please visit to light a candle, pay a tribute or offer condolences.
Thank You!!
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Old 16th Feb 2012, 07:44
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Big Mike

http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/287...photos-41.html

"What is this life but a shadow?
What is this life but a mist?
What is this life but a vapour?
It vanishes away".

Obungu-bungu, farewell Bro
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Old 28th Feb 2012, 14:47
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Nigeria: Caverton, Country Helicopter Firm, Begins International Operations

By Chinedu Eze, 27 February 2012 Nigeria's most successful indigenous helicopter company, Caverton Helicopters, has made history as the first in the rotary subsector to start international operations.
Caverton, a leading provider of aviation services to the oil and gas sector in Nigeria, will from next month expand its operations to Cameroon as it has signed a five-year contract with the Cameroon Oil Transportation Company (COTCO).
According to a statement issued by the company, the contract was won through a competitive bidding process and is the first international contract to be applied for and won by the company.
Caverton Helicopters is a Nigerian company that started an intra-city helicopter service in Lagos in 2004 but has grown steadily into a dominant player in the oil-and-gas aviation market.
Reacting to the deal, the Chairman of Caverton Group, Mr. Remi Makanjuola, said: "This is a major leap for our company and for Nigeria. As a company, it furthers our goal of becoming the premier offshore logistics service provider in sub-Saharan Africa. But it also shows increasing confidence in the competence of Nigerian companies and it aligns with the economic diplomacy advocacy of the Federal Government."
Under this contract, Caverton Helicopters would provide onshore pipeline surveillance and passenger transfer services to COTCO, a special venture for extracting and transporting crude oil from the Doba oil fields in Chad, a landlocked country, to neighbouring Cameroon via a 1,070 kilometres underground pipeline that runs through three pump stations, a pressure reduction station, and an offshore export terminal.
COTCO, owned by ExxonMobil, Chevron, Petronas of Malaysia and the governments of Chad and Cameroon, is operated by ExxonMobil.
Caverton Helicopters would also provide aviation logistic services that would be dedicated mainly to secure the Cameroonian end of the multi-billion dollar project but would also be available for passenger services for the project, according to the Managing Director of Caverton Helicopters, Mr. Sola Falola.
The five-year contract will kick off on March 1, 2012, with a possibility of extension for another four years.
"We have come this far and we could win this major contract outside Nigeria because we take safety, reliability and quality like religion. These are values that are dear to our premium clients and they are values that will continue to be our watchwords as we expand beyond the shores of Nigeria," an elated Falola said.
Caverton Helicopters was initially set up to bridge the gap in on-shore helicopter services in Nigeria, but with the temporary closure of the Port Harcourt International Airport in 2006, the company moved offshore to provide passenger transfer and logistics services to oil and gas companies and oil service companies, including NLNG, Amni, TSKJ, DBN, PGS, Transocean, and Traffigura.
For five years, the company invited major oil companies to audit its facilities and services, eventually passing the Shell audit (which is seen as the industry benchmark) in 2009.
However, the biggest break for the company came in 2010, when Shell awarded Caverton Helicopters (alongside its partner, Dancopter of Denmark) a five-year contract for the provision of six AW139 helicopters, after a rigorous and competitive bidding process.
This contract was the largest ever awarded by Shell to any indigenous company in Nigeria.
The following year, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited also awarded the company a three-year contract for the deployment and operations of three helicopters in the Niger Delta region.
Over time, other major clients of the company have included the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Maritime Safety & Administration Agency (NIMASA), Intel Logistics, West African Ventures Nigeria Limited, Pacific Drilling Limited and the state governments of Lagos, Osun, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom.
Services provided by Caverton Helicopters range from aerial surveillance, passenger transfer to fleet management and third party maintenance, VIP charter and other ancillary services.
Caverton Helicopters, a member of the Caverton Group, has steadily built its capability and reputation in the last decade through continuous investment in quality staff and state-of-the-art infrastructure, processes and systems.
It currently operates out of a 10,000 square metre flight facility at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, a 9,000 square metre facility in Port Harcourt, and also from the Shell bases in Warri and Port Harcourt.
The company operates the only heliport in Lagos metropolis (Victoria Island); it has 18 aircraft in its fleet, comprising 15 helicopters and three fixed wing planes. It has about 500 staff members, 90 per cent of whom are Nigerians.
allAfrica.com: Nigeria: Caverton, Country Helicopter Firm, Begins International Operations
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Old 29th Feb 2012, 12:30
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Ogonis Of Nigeria Charge Shell Oil With Murder Before Supreme Court

The Ogonis have their day in court in America as Shell is charged with murder:

By Global Information Network (GIN), New York
Feb. 28 (GIN) – Royal Dutch Shell, Europe’s biggest oil company, is at the center of a major test of U.S. law that allows foreign nationals to sue corporations in U.S. courts for claims of genocide, rape and other serious human rights abuses.

Shell seeks dismissal of the suit now before the U.S. Supreme Court filed by Nigerians seeking damages for torture and murders committed by their government in the early 1990s. Lawyers for the oil giant say the Alien Tort Statute, which dates to 1789, can’t be used to sue corporations.

The Nigerian plaintiffs claim there’s nothing in the law that limits liability to individuals.

The plaintiffs, from Ogoniland, are relatives of victims murdered by Nigeria’s former military regime which was allegedly recruited by Shell to eliminate the opposition to oil exploration in the Niger Delta.

"All that we're saying in this case is that when a corporation contributes to genocide or crimes against humanity, that they should be held liable ... the same way they would be held liable if one of their agents is engaged in an automobile accident that injures somebody" on the job, said Paul Hoffman, who is representing the Nigerians.

But according to Shell: “Even if the corporation had jointly operated torture centers with the military dictatorship in Nigeria to detain, torture and kill all opponents of Shell’s operations in Ogoni, the victims would have no claim.”

The case could have wide implications for U.S. companies that operate abroad under the cover of repressive regimes.

Among the Ogoni victims was Nigerian writer and activist Ken Saro-Wiwa. He and 8 others were executed in 1995 after what plaintiffs said was a sham trial by a military tribunal, backed by the oil giant.

Also bringing charges is a Seventh-day Adventist bishop and a local leader's widow, who was raped and beaten after her husband was arrested and summarily executed.

Survivor Charles Wiwa, now living in the U.S., recalls being picked up and beaten by 18 soldiers after he led a rally in his home village. "They started beating me — horsewhipping me, clubbing me, [kicking me with their] boots for a really long time," Wiwa says. The beating lasted more than two hours.

The U.S. government, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and numerous human rights organizations have filed briefs supporting the victims' argument that the Alien Tort Statute does allow for corporate liability. Backing Shell are more than two-dozen multinational corporations, business groups, and even several countries — Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

A decision in the case is expected by the summer.
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Old 6th Mar 2012, 09:22
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South Africans Refused Entry to Nigeria

In a tit-for-tat reprisal for many Nigerians being refused entry to South Africa, Nigeria has now hit back and started refusing entry to South Africans whose paperwork is supposedly not in order:

Nigeria deports 28 South Africans as row deepens

NIGERIA hit back at South Africa last night.
Twenty-eight South Africans were denied entry into Lagos – a tit for tat that has deepened the row between the two countries.
South Africa last Friday deported 125 Nigerians from the Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johanesburg after denying them entry into the country for allegedly possessing fake yellow fever certificates. The Federal Government frowned at the action.
The 28 passengers flew into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos aboard a South African Airways flight at about 9.30pm.
They were expected to be deported last night or this morning.
A source said: "The Federal Government decided to deny these 28 South Africans entry because of invalid documents and relevant health certificate clearance.
"We are also deporting them back to South Africa. The Presidency has been notified of this action.
"We will no longer overlook certain procedures which we have condoned in the spirit of African brotherhood."
Earlier yesterday, Nigeria had threatened to retaliate South Africa’s maltreatment of Nigerians.
Interior Minister Albo Moro said: "I want to assure you on one thing. The Federal Government has the capacity to reciprocate appropriately if it is found that (the deportation) was not done in good faith."
He added: "At the moment, Nigeria maintains a very cordial diplomatic relations with South Africa and I can assure you that we will react appropriately if it is found that South Africa has taken unfriendly action against Nigeria.
Moro spoke to reporters at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Also yesterday, the Federal Government summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Mambolo.
Besides, the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru, to appear before it today to clarify Nigeria’s relationship with other African countries.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, asked the Federal Government to apply the principle of reciprocity in dealing with South Africa.
Mambolo was at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explain why South Africa maltreated Nigerian travellers last Friday.
According to sources, when he got to the Ministry at about 3pm, Mambolo was asked to see the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi, instead of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: "When the South African High Commissioner got to the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary was directed to ask him to explain why 125 Nigerians were deported without diplomatic courtesy.
"He spent about an hour interacting with the Permanent Secretary, but Nigeria was not convinced about the explanation given by South Africa.
"We are demanding unreserved apology from South Africa for this ill-treatment of Nigerian travellers or else, we will take more drastic actions."
Ashiru confirmed the invitation of the High Commissioner but he declined further comments.
The Minister is to appear before the House Committee today to clarify Nigeria’ relationship with its African countries.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, said it was disturbed by the series of negative attacks on Nigerians and its embassies, especially in the sub region.
Elendu-Ukeje recalled the recent lock-up of some Nigerians in Togo without any explanation to the Nigerian government.
She said: "We are indeed worried about all these indignation and scorn Nigerians are subjected to all over the world, especially by sister African nations. This calls for a review of our relationship with these countries.
"So, we have invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs to a meeting on Tuesday to come and explain to us, our relationship with these countries and why Nigerians are being subjected to ridicule all over the world," she said.
To Mrs Dabiri-Erewa, the illegal deportation of 125 Nigerians by the South African government is "inhuman".
In a statement in Abuja, she faulted the "continuous unwarranted hostilities against Nigerians by the South Africa government".
She said: "It is pathetic that 125 Nigerians, the highest so far, which include women and children, were delayed for 24 hours without water and food in an inhuman condition before being bundled back to Nigeria".
"Do Nigeria ask South Africans to fill Yellow card when coming to Nigeria? Even then, passengers must have passed through this process while applying for visa in the Embassy. Why treat Nigerians with scorn and indignation. This is really appalling.
"Is this the way to pay Nigeria back with their kind gesture? This is unfair and un-African."
Mrs Dabiri-Erewa also recalled how South African businesses, such as MTN and Multi-Choice – owner of DSTV - among others, are thriving in Nigeria better than any part of Africa without any form of molestation from Nigerian government.
The lawmaker recalled how the South African government stopped charging Nigerians deportation fees when Nigeria Embassy in South Africa under the High Commissioner Mohammed Marwa introduced it.
She said: "I call on the Federal Government to protect her citizens by applying the law of reciprocity to South Africans coming to Nigeria by introducing the same stringent treatment meted to Nigerians going to South Africa."
Speaking on Nigeria’s Porous border, Moro said: "It is unfair to say that we don’t know the category of persons that enter Nigeria. Nigeria, like any other big country, has this problem of border porousity. I agree with you that Nigeria’s border as vast as it is, is porous to some extent but that is not to say that we don’t know the category of people that enter Nigeria."
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Old 13th Mar 2012, 20:35
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Thumbs down Major Shake Up Bristow

In move which completely comprised his integrity as it bows to pressure from a client, Bristow Nigeria have terminated his Operations Manager and moved out its Base Manager in Port Harcourt. A memorandum to all employees hint that more people will be exiting, leaving an atmosphere of fear and loathing in Las Lagos. They currently have no Operations or Quality and Safety Manager. This is from a company which proclaims itself the world leader in helicopter safety with the Target Zero slogan. Zero morale, zero integrity, zero management now .
The next step will be that some company marionette with zero knowledge of Nigeria will be appointed as a government fantoche so he can be disgarded at any time they want another scapegoat for their continued over-milking of the Nigerian milk cow which is never fed, but always milked
The start of the same decline that CHC had in all probability
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Old 14th Mar 2012, 19:23
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Devil

After the departure of (deleted) to wreak havoc on the North Sea, I had great hopes of (deleted), but he's either sold his soul to the 'devil' commerce at the expense of all else or the Machiavellis who have usurped the proud Bristow name and sacrificed it to commerce under the guise of 'safety', 'quality', 'integrity', 'fulfilment', 'teamwork', profitability'. The standard way of (ex)terminating employees now seems to be; decide to (ex)terminate employee, start looking for more pliant, bootlicking replacement, inform employee with half a day's notice that they have been terminated, 30 seconds later inform rest of the world that employee has decided to retire .
Alan Bristow will be turning in his grave at what his company has been reduced to.
Now would be a good time for CHC and Caverton to pursue enquiries from Bristow pilots. Caverton got off to a very shaky start but has discovered that it will only get big contracts by put a proper, credible infrastructure in place. It still has a long way to go and is pretty low on integrity (and is still a 100% Nigerian company, with Nigerian shareholders and values), but it pays better than Bristow and is closing the gap in terms of a real safety management system and FOQA system.
Bristow is creating a pool of more and more ex high level Bristow managers who quickly get snapped up by competitors and then go all out to go for Bristow business with an intimate knowledge of how Bristow conducts its business. Fred's a great example of that and the new Bristow business model is causing declining loyalty and it will eventually lead to declining profits. Life in the Sandpit has never looked better when compared to life (with Bristow) in Nigeria.


Naming names and abusing them is not only against the T&C's, it is likely to end in tears. IB (who own this site) are based in the US of A and subject to the court orders that can have them hand over your registration details and anything else the court decrees. If we allow the abuse to remain online then we (the Mods) can get caught in the crossfire.

A depressing result of modern society, but one that cannot be taken lightly.

SP

Last edited by Senior Pilot; 14th Mar 2012 at 20:59. Reason: Remove personal attack
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Old 21st Mar 2012, 11:36
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Thought this might be of interest - probably old news to some of you?


Caverton to upgrade helicopter fleet - News - Shephard
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Old 21st Mar 2012, 12:32
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Sounds like Caverton and Shell are close business partners now.

What of the wonderful Shell EC-155's....they going the way of the Buffalo?
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Old 22nd Mar 2012, 13:07
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Nigeria has moved beyond that culture of corruption....after all they do have a Space Administration now....with a Two Hundred Million Dollar budget or some such thing.

NASRDA HOME
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Old 22nd Mar 2012, 14:28
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took me awhile to get over that one SASless. anywho according to my sources there is another 2 139s inbound Lagos at this time.
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Old 22nd Mar 2012, 20:07
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Wink

The $85m loan almost sounds like one of those Nigerian Scams. I wonder how much will be pocketed and how much will really be for the aircraft?
If Caver... something is involved, I'd guess about $ 1 million towards the aircraft and $84 million towards someone's new boat, car, house in Europe, wedding ..... and sort out the difference with a new loan later

Bristow, which at least has a measure of 'transparency' these days is still drifting rudderless towards a rocky 'Total... itarian' shore with no helmsman, navigator or Chief Bosun's Mate. There's no Head of Flight Operations, no Quality and Safety Manager and no Base Manager in Port Harcourt. The one essential pre-qualification for all the above posts is a love of Camembert or Brie, a predilection to surrender, a love of perversions including butt-plugs, a knowledge of a European language other than English, Spanish or Italian and an aversion to any technological products from America
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Old 22nd Mar 2012, 22:05
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Perhaps Tyre Burst will be drawn from retirement Mon Ami! As it sounds like the perfect job description for him....and a chance to renew family relations with his kin folk.
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Old 23rd Mar 2012, 06:20
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Thumbs down

Al Qaeda is now openly admitting to operating in Nigeria as they claim to have been behind the kidnapping of a German working for Bilfinger Berger

Al-Qaeda's north Africa branch said Wednesday it was holding a German engineer kidnapped in Nigeria two months ago, and that it wanted to swap him for a jailed Muslim woman, a private news agency in Mauritania said.
"We inform you that your compatriot Edgar Fritz Raupach is a prisoner of fighters from AQIM (Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb)," the group said in a statement published by the ANI agency, demanding the release of a woman who it said had converted to Islam.
The woman, Felis Lowitz, whose Muslim name was given as Um Seiv Al-Islam-Al-Ansariya, was said to be detained in Germany where she was being "tortured".
A video obtained by ANI and seen by AFP showed Raupach, his hands tied behind his back, surrounded by masked gunmen.
In the video he called on his "parents, friends and German public opinion" to convince Berlin to "bring an end to the torture of our Muslim sister", adding that only her liberation will save his life.
AQIM warned that any attempt to rescue Raupach will lead to his death, as happened in the case of Italian engineer Franco Lamolinara and British colleague Chris McManus, killed earlier this month during a failed rescue bid by Nigerian forces.
Raupach, ANI said, is an engineer who was kidnapped in northern Nigeria on January 25.
Germany has confirmed one of its nationals has been kidnapped in northern Nigeria, and the German construction company Bilfinger Berger has said he is one of their employees.
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Old 23rd Mar 2012, 07:36
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The AW139 is Italian not French so Tyreburst is not the man!!!!
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Old 23rd Mar 2012, 08:21
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Post

mtoroshanga,

I think you'll find SAS is referring to the post about Bristow when he makes reference to the beloved Count

Bristow, which at least has a measure of 'transparency' these days is still drifting rudderless towards a rocky 'Total... itarian' shore with no helmsman, navigator or Chief Bosun's Mate. There's no Head of Flight Operations, no Quality and Safety Manager and no Base Manager in Port Harcourt. The one essential pre-qualification for all the above posts is a love of Camembert or Brie, a predilection to surrender, a love of perversions including butt-plugs, a knowledge of a European language other than English, Spanish or Italian and an aversion to any technological products from America
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Old 23rd Mar 2012, 08:30
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Anyone know if the Caverton 139's are actually flying for Shell yet?
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Old 23rd Mar 2012, 14:20
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Sorry Phone Wind,my mistake!(and are you sure thats how you spell Count in this case?)
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Old 23rd Mar 2012, 16:59
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The one essential pre-qualification for all the above posts is a love of Camembert or Brie, a predilection to surrender, a love of perversions including butt-plugs, a knowledge of a European language other than English, Spanish or Italian and an aversion to any technological products from America
That is what prompted my post.....and history.

One too many "o's" in "Count" for sure in this case.
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Old 23rd Mar 2012, 20:22
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There are none of Cavertons two 139 flying out of Lagos right now, due to different technical problems etc. But you see a lot of the Dancopter ec155 in the air.
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