Caverton Helicopters Unveils New Brand Fleet, Promises Quality Service

…Baru, Onyema, Sikira, others commend airline for promoting indigenous aviation

 

After a rigorous tender process, Caverton Helicopters Limited was recently selected as the preferred air transport provider for the NNPC/Chevron Nigeria Limited Joint Venture based in Escravos, Nigeria.

To celebrate this feat, Caverton Helicopters Limited hosted a formal Business Luncheon at its Executive Flight Facility at Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja where the fleet of brand new helicopters to be used on this Contract were unveiled.

All the invited guests and stakeholders  who converged on Ikeja to view the latest addition to Caverton group , including Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, representative of Chief of Army staff,  former Group Managing Diretor, NNPC, King Edmond Dakoru, Mrs. Yoyin Makanjoula, Dr. Oba Otudeko, MD, Sales, Middle East and Africa, Bell Helicopters, David Sale, managing Director/CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, , Mr. Oscar Onyema,  representatives of Bell Helicopters, Mr. Monday Ovuede,  Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe,  representative of Hon. Minister  of State for aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, United States Consul General, Mr. John Bray, expatriates partners, Managing director, Caverton Helicopters, Captain Josiah Choms, CEO, Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mr. Bode Makanjuola, Chairman, THISDAY Editorial Board, Mr. Segun Adeniyi and others too numerous to mention.

L-R: Director of Corporate Services, Caverton Helicopters Limited, Offshore, Mr. Ayodele Omueti; Managing Director, Caverton Helicopters Limited, Capt. Josiah Choms; Managing Director, Bell Helicopters Company Sales, Middle East and Africa, Mr. David Sale; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema; MD/CEO, Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc, Mr. Olabode Makanjuola in a congratulatory smiles shortly after the closing gong ceremony of business launcheon by Caverton Helicopters Limited held at the NSE headquarters office on Island, Lagos….Friday

The new fleet of aircraft that includes the state-of-the-art Bell 407 GXP and the industry workhorse Bell 412 EP. The Bell 407GXP incorporates new avionics, an upgraded engine, and new executive interior design options.  Fitted with Rolls-Royce M250-C47E/4 dual channel turbine engine, this aircraft delivers exceptional hot and high performance, with efficient fuel economy. 

The Bell 412 EP is highly reliable aircraft that has been known to perform extremely well even in inimical climatic conditions. With a spacious cabin, the aircraft can be configured to in a variety of ways to accommodate up to 14 passengers. 

Both helicopter types are equipped with a variety of safety features which include rupture resistance fuel cells, wire strike protection system, vibration and engine exceedance monitoring systems, flight data monitoring.

 In his speech, Chairman, Caverton Offshore  Support Group, Mr. Remi Makanjuola said the unveiling Caverton fleet of Helicopters is a feat and a day that Nigeria and Nigerian should be proud off, a day that the aviation industry should be proud off that a Nigerian went to America to acquire 11 helicopters.

“Over the past few years, we went through many phases of development as a company in less than favourable circumstances. Nevertheless, we have been able to operate existing contracts successfully, as well as secure a few new contracts”.

“The largest and most significant of these new contracts, the NNPC-Chevron Joint Venture Helicopter Services Contract, it is of course the reason we are here today to unveil the helicopters that would be used for that activity. We are recording some success in our desire to be a financially strong and sustainable Group that puts all stakeholders at the heart of everything”.

“Our safety of record is something we are proud and thankful for, and credit must go to our professionalism at all levels. Given Chevron’s global reputation for safety and quality, it is safe to say that Caverton’s diligent attention to safety, quality and continuous improvement contributed in no small n=measure to the contract award2, he added.

As a fully indigenous player in the hitherto foreign interest dominated sector, Caverton has confirmed the mantra that Nigerians can excel and do Nigeria proud in all facets of the economy given the opportunity.

The airline is fast tracking the national content policy by ensuring that more Nigerians are trained and given the pride of place in recruitment into high technician management positions.

The company’s modest Makanjuola said would not have been possible without unwavering support of the Federal government and the major oil companies like Shell in particular who had confidence in them.

 “We have keyed into the fiscal discipline and local capacity-building that the Federal government has emphasized over the past few years, and we are now well-positioned to contribute our quota to the national economy”.

In his address, Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru said what Caverton did is a milestone and the power of Vision of its chairman Mr. Remi Makanjuola.

“I have followed the company since inception since Mr. Makanjuola conceived the idea of going into aviation logistics.  I commend him for his foresight and tenacity for putting non-existent entity company to become a conglomerate and now become a global brand. The contribution of Caverton Helicopter’s to aviation cannot be over-emphasised as the company has filled the vacuum”.

 I am proud of the company’s safety even as an indigenous company, it has proved that commitment tenacity of purpose has helped the oil and gas company through its services. We will continue to support local companies as Caverton continues to raise the bar to become a household name globally,” Baru said.

 In his speech, Director, NNPC/CNL JV, Mr. Monday Ovuede said Caverton’s launching of 11 Helicopters marked an expansion of the company in Nigeria, the manifestation of its resilience to ensure that aviation industry becomes enviable.

Speaking further, Ovuede said for Nigeria Company to provide such services is commendable. He seized the opportunity to thanked the Bell Company as they look forward of to enjoy services from Caverton.

The Caverton Helicopter he noted would commence operation in April 1, 2018. Just as they look forward to a Zero accident free services since the helicopters will be flying everyday, the rules and regulations of aviation would be strictly adhered to by ensuring that all the helicopters are well maintained.

In his address, Managing Director, Sales, Middle East & Africa, Bell Helicopters, David Sale said on behalf of 8,000 employees scattered all over the world thanked Caverton for giving them the opportunity to provide this service to a Nigerian company.

According to him, the Bell as a company has been in Nigeria since 1964; today we are happy to partner with Caverton. Our plan is to pick and deliver over 800 passengers everyday, we will ensure zero accident free as we increase our effort to protect our people. With over 50 years of doing business in Nigeria, “I assure you that we will be here in the next 50 years “ With an enviable safety record for flight operations across West Africa, Caverton Helicopters’ Flight Safety Culture and Maintenance Programme will be deployed in the management of these remarkable aircraft.”

Commending the group for promoting indigenous content thereby helping the nation’s economy, Minister of State for Aviation who was represented by a staff of the Ministry, Hadi Sirika said by this new addition is like expanding the Nigerian aviation sector. He reiterates his ministry goodwill and promised that whatever assistance the group needs when the need arises his ministry would not hesitate to be of help.

In his short speech, managing director of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe said he feels extremely honoured to be part of success story of Caverton Helicopters.

“ I am proud to be part of this company from inception and watch it blossom. Before Caverton came in, the sector was dominated by foreign companies but Caverton came in and change the air space when no one believed that a Nigerian company could have the technical know-how. The objective is to create efficiency and zero accident free. And the success story is there for everyone to see. I am proud to partner with Caverton. We are happy to change the narrative that Nigerians can provide a world class services. We hope that in the next 50 years, we will continue to work with Caverton as it progresses because there is great future in this great enterprise.”

In his word, United States Consul General, Mr. John Bray applauded Caverton and Bell Helicopters for successfully launching the brand new fleet of helicopters, which he said is a reliable piece of equipment that can withstand any weather and climate. “I am happy to see US company blossom in Nigeria supporting local aviation industry. We are very proud of Caverton and particularly pleased with the local engineers.”

And for CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema,  said he is very pleased with the company since their partnership began in 2014 when it was listed. “ I have this believe that the company would become African champion and the event today has confirmed that prophecy. They are already operating outside Nigeria and as it grows across Africa, I want to assure you of the NSE unwavering support as you move the Nigerian aviation industry forward.”

Speaking on the journey so far, managing director, Caverton Helicopters, Capt. Josian Choms said despite the challenges of doing aviation business in Nigeria, the company has kept the eyes on the ball and continues to be ahead.

The strength he said lies in the passion at which Caverton discharges its service to its client which is made possible by productive and efficient leadership and employees.  While safety has been the watchword of the company, Choms reiterates the company rule of zero accident as it continues its excellence service in the Nigerian air space.

 

 

 

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