We have noted with great concern, the inaccuracies contained in the online publication on SR titled, SCAMS IN LAGOS STATE : HELICOPTERS PURCHASED FOR CRIME FIGHTING ARE CONVERTED TO PRIVATE COMMERCIAL USE.
We have noted with great concern, the inaccuracies contained in the online publication on SR titled, SCAMS IN LAGOS STATE : HELICOPTERS PURCHASED FOR CRIME FIGHTING ARE CONVERTED TO PRIVATE COMMERCIAL USE.
We are surprised that SR contrary to its usual practice did not bother to contact Caverton for its side of the story for our side of the story before going to publication. We however wish to present the facts which are incontrovertible and can be confirmed from the regulatory authorities and all mentioned parties.
PREAMBLE: Caverton Helicopters was set up in September 2002 to fill the gap in the onshore helicopter market which was virtually non-existent. As a start up, we purchased our first helicopter, a 5-year old Agusta 109 Helicopter, which served as the flagship of our airport shuttle service. As the years progressed and as the business expanded, we took the decision to lease helicopters from our partners in Europe. These helicopters met all NCAA guidelines with respect to age, specifications and airworthiness. Over the years, our business grew and we began to undergo audits by the international oil companies and their subsidiaries which culminated in the award of an air-transport contract to provide 2 twin otters, De Havilland 6-300 fixed wing aircraft for Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) for operations between Lagos and Bonny. Our successful operations of these aircraft led to further audits by the offshore logistics divisions of other international companies and after a few years of closing audit gaps, improving our infrastructure and investing in human capital, we began to qualify for offshore logistics transportation contracts.
This development led to refocusing of our business and we decided to embark on a fleet renewal in preparation for offshore helicopter support work in 2010. To date, we have obtained import permits for 3 new Eurocopter helicopters and 3 Sikorsky. In addition to this, we will also be taking delivery of our own BELL helicopters in by the first quarter in 2010. Please find attached copies of the respective importation permits .
THE FACTS
1. The Lagos State government bought 2 BELL 412EP helicopters for the purposes of medical evacuation, fire-fighting and security surveillance. The state not being an Airline or Air Operating Certificate (AOC) holder solicited the assistance of Caverton Helicopters manage the importation process of the helicopters to ensure that there is full compliance with all Federal Ministry of Aviation and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority regulations. We have successfully completed this task and have formally advised the Lagos State Government which has scheduled the formal acceptance and commissioning of the aircraft in the coming days.
2. Both helicopters, 5N-LAG and 5N-LSG which are now fully assembled are stationed in Lagos and not Warri and Port Harcourt as the report stated. It is pertinent to mention that both helicopters have never flown outside Lagos since being assembled.
3. Contrary to your report, at no time was Caverton Helicopters, associated companies or directors ever involved in the purchase of helicopters for the Nigerian Navy. The Nigerian Navy, Federal Ministry of Aviation or the NCAA can corroborate this fact. It suffices to say that Caverton never received any helicopter from the Nigerian Navy or Agusta.
4. As stated earlier in our preamble, we purchased our first helicopter, the Agusta 109 in 2003 and took a commercial decision to sell it in 2007 due to its high operating cost.
5. Caverton leases its Eurocopter fleet from our European partner and has never bought one as claimed in the report.
6. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and National Maritime Administration & Safety Agency (NIMASA) contracts were direct and immediate responses by both organisations for compliance with the ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security code) which came into effect in July 2004. The contracts ran between 2005 and 2008. At no time did Caverton receive remuneration of N12 million or equivalent per day for this service as the report purported. This fact can be verified from the respective organizations.
7. The incident reported involving the governor had less to do with engine power but more with pilot error. Incidents like this do happen in the industry and Caverton took immediate steps to ensure that appropriate lessons learnt from that incident were inculcated into our safety culture.
8. Caverton currently owns 2 twin otters which are contracted to NLNG. Both aircraft comply with Federal Ministry of Aviation and NCAA 21-year age limitation. Both aircraft were vetted by Shell’s overseas auditors and were deemed airworthy and compliant to Shell’s standards prior to contract deployment.
9. At no time did Caverton acquire or purchase any aircraft from Aero Contractors. This fact can be verified from both Aerocontractors and the NCAA.
10. The referenced publication/advertisement of Caverton’s entry into the offshore oil and gas logistics arena never alluded or purported that the ownership of the Lagos State 2 BELL 412EP helicopters were Caverton’s.
While we appreciate SR’s innovative intervention in the public information space, as an organization playing in the global arena where inaccuracy reports about company operations and safety issues could be detrimental to the company’s interest, we wish to advise that due care be exercised in publishing reports without verification of the facts from all concerned parties.
We hope that SR will make public these facts immediately to correct the mis- representation in the referenced report.
Signed
CAVERTON HELICOPTERS EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content1'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('comments'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content2'); });