Nigeria Land of dreams or a nightmare

[JStein]

A couple of questions for anybody there or on their way. Just to see how well placed my natural cynacism is with the company platitudes.

What is the situation on the ground at Lagos, Port Harcourt and offshore. Is it all living up to the scare stories.

Also what incentives are the various outfits offering to intice people to go down that way?

[deepseacon]

here some stuff on Nigeria

link here for more info or read below some notes

http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618386298

Still Current at: 29 May 2007
Updated: 25 May 2007

Nigeria

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and Terrorism/Security sections. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

SUMMARY

We advise against all travel to the Niger Delta (Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States, including Port Harcourt). This is because of the very high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas. In fourteen separate incidents since January 2006, 30 British nationals and over 180 foreign nationals have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta area and one Briton has been killed. See the Terrorism /Security section of this travel advice for more details.

If you decide to travel to, or remain in, the Niger Delta you do so at your own risk. The level of consular assistance we can provide is limited. If your presence is essential, it would be reckless to travel to, or remain in, the Niger Delta unless you have taken appropriate professional security advice and have acted upon it. If travelling by road you should use fully protected transport.

We advise against all but essential travel to Akwa Ibom State because of the high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas. You should maintain a high level of vigilance at all times, observe the strictest security measures and not travel unnecessarily.

There is also a risk of kidnapping in other States in south-east Nigeria. On 17 March 2007 , two Chinese nationals were taken hostage at Nnewi, Anambra State. See the Terrorism/Security section of this travel advice for more details.

Localised outbreaks of civil unrest can occur at short notice. Details and advice are circulated via the British High Commission’s Community Liaison Officers’ network.

The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Nigeria in 2006 were for potential victims of scams artists. Violent crime is prevalent, especially in the south of the country, including Lagos. See the Crime section of this travel advice for more details.

You should be aware of the threat from terrorism in Nigeria. A statement issued by Usama Bin Laden in February 2003 called for an uprising by Muslims in a number of countries including Nigeria. He suggested that “faithful Muslims” rise up against the Nigerian Government. He also referred to “support for brothers” in Nigeria in December 2004.

[Terry Simons]

Reminds me of Manchester on a Saturday night 😆

[Andy Shiers]

So , In a nut shell , It’s a shit hole ❗
That’s why they are all coming over here to the UK 👿
It’s definately an eye opener , but not what you will find on a tourist brochure 🙂
Is it worth it ?
You might as well travel to Manchester 😀
The travelling is shorter 😀
I don’t think you find Manchester on any tourist brochures either 😆
But if you want to taste and smell Africa ,
Go to London instead 😆

[JStein]

Kind of guessed it was a shithole. Question is how risky a shithole is it.

If it is risky then are we as ROV types getting any incentives from the companies to go down there. If not are we or should we be asking for a Nigeria uplift. Or are there too many punters who will quite happily go down there for there normal rates.

Anybody out there getting an improvement in their normal package for the perk of being there.

[Cabledog]

Fellas,

A mate of mine in the based in the Philipines works on a rig in Nigeria, his last trip was 13 weeks as they could not get reliefs to go out there. He knows of 27 confirmed kidnappings from both rigs, and boats. "the security is not worth a s&^t"

He is not going back, regardless of what they pay. Make your own mind up!!!!!!! 💡 😯

[deepseacon]

here some more kidnapping

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6711475.stm

Gunmen have blasted their way into a residential compound to snatch three top managers working for an Asian-owned company in Nigeria’s Niger Delta.
Some sources say more hostages may have been seized in the dawn raid as the three were taken with family members.

The attackers were armed with machine guns and explosives, said police commissioner Felix Ogbaudu.

Newly sworn-in President Umaru Yar’Adua has convened a summit for next week about the crisis in the oil-rich area.

Militants have waged a sabotage campaign for more than a year in the under-developed region, including kidnapping dozens of foreign oil workers.

Their activities have led to a more than 25% cut in oil production.

Criminal gangs in the region have used similar tactics to obtain ransoms for the release of captives.

Worker protests

"We are not sure of the nationalities of the hostages, but we think they are Asians," Mr Ogbaudu told the BBC.

The shadowy militants in Nigeria’s Delta

The managing director, general manager and manager of security were taken from the residential compound of Indorama, an Indonesian chemical firm working in Nigeria’s southern oil capital, Port Harcourt.

This latest kidnapping is the second attack on the company in two weeks.

Indorama employees are now refusing to work in protest about the seizure of their colleagues and have forced the company to close down its operations.

On 19 May, two Indians were abducted from the first attack on the compound located on the outskirts of Port Harcourt.

Friday’s attack comes shortly after the main militant group in the region, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said it was willing to end its armed campaign for "genuine" dialogue with the new government.

President Yar’Adua, who at his inauguration this week promised to make the Niger Delta a priority, has convened a "Niger Delta Summit" to begin the quest for a solution to the violence.

Nigeria is Africa’s top oil producer and fifth largest exporter of crude to the US.

Although the bulk of the oil comes from the swamps of the Niger Delta, the region remains deeply impoverished, a reason often given by the militants for the actions.

Some 180 foreigners – most of them oil workers – have been kidnapped in the region in the past 18 months.

The hostages are usually released unharmed after ransom payments that both the government and the oil workers always deny.

[Andy Shiers]

An absolute shithole 🙂

[JStein]

Nice to see the place gets better and better. Comforting to note that security is so tight that the security manager gets himself kidnapped.

On another note is anybody having problems getting hold of or renewing life insurance plans etc. A few lads have had problems as soon as they mention Nigeria.

Has anyone found an insurance company or broker that welcomes you with open arms, preferably without emptying the bank.

[Andy Shiers]

The company who is employing you down there and travel should be sorting that out for you, If they are not 😕
I shouldn’t go there friend

[JStein]

Currently waiting on the company to come back with a travel and security package. Plus whatever else we can reasonably expect to get.

Naturally they will be wanting to get away with the cheapest option involving the least effort on there part. Something that is unlikely to be the best for me or the family.

In the meantime I am trying to get as much info together on the place and what I should expect to get from the company. Always helps for the bargaining. Plus if you need to tell them to foxtrot oscar you may as well have a good reason.

[Cabledog]

JStein

The reason to tell them to foxtrot oscar is the work is in Nigeria mate. Avoid 💡

[Anonymous]

just dont go………EVER

[joeboy]

I worked there for 4 years and decided enough was enough Feb 2006. Lagos is safer than Port Harcourt. Warri is a total toilet. Plenty guns,plenty booze,plenty drugs,plenty poverty, no selfcontrol and this is the police i am speaking about. Don’t go.

[star]

TO ALL . remember these places you call shit holes maybe, but how about a little respect for it.. the people living there who work with some of the large ROV companies are regularly using this site… just because it not your cushy 2 weeks on 2 weeks off in the north sea, where you complain if its UHT milk instead of fresh, or you cant phone mammy once a week. These guys live here work here and unfortunately sometimes have no choices, mark urselfs lucky. now stop fucking whinging and go work onshore then! 🙄 😆 🙄 😆 🙄 😆

[Author]

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