Baru, Sirika, others laud Caverton Helicopters on safety
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 recently hosted a business luncheon at its Executive Flight Facility at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja where the fleet of brand new helicopters to be used on thev contract was unveiled.
The new fleet of aircraft 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, the aircraft delivers exceptional hot and high performance, with efficient fuel 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,” he said.
Commending the group for promoting indigenous content thereby helping the nation’s economy, the Minister of State for Aviation, Hon. Hadi Sirika, who was represented by a staff of the ministry said the new addition is like expanding the Nigerian aviation sector.
The Chairman, Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mr. Remi Makanjuola, said the unveiling of Caverton fleet of helicopters is a feat and a day that Nigeria and Nigerians should be proud off; a day that the aviation industry should be proud off that a Nigerian went to America to acquire 11 helicopters. The Republic of Malawi has become the second Southern African member country of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Africa’s leading infrastructure development finance institution.
The accession of Malawi to AFC’s membership is a progression of the corporation’s existing investment footprint in the country. AFC had previously acted as Joint Mandated Lead Arranger (MLA) and Lender for a US$60 million commodity trade finance facility to Meridian Consolidated Investments Ltd (Malawi), the integrated agricultural commodities trading group to finance Meridian’s fertilizer importation and sale in four Southern African countries.
Malawi’s accession also supports AFC’s membership expansion strategy into Southern Africa, and continued alignment of its country membership with its investment footprint.
Malawi, which signed its letter of adherence on 8th March 2018, becomes AFC’s 18th member state. Other member states include: Benin, Cape Verde; Chad; Côte d’Ivoire; Djibouti; Gabon; the Gambia; Ghana; GuineaBissau; Guinea-Conakry; Kenya; Liberia; Nigeria; Rwanda; Uganda; Sierra Leone and Zambia.
Andrew Alli, CEO of AFC, commented on the announcement: “We are delighted to welcome Malawi as a member country of the corporation.”