₦airaland Forum

alafefeyeye:
Pls I nid urgent clarifications concerning the ds 160 for,I just finished filling and got d email confirmation but I wyld like to make some changes.is it allowed to edit after submission,if not can I just discard it and start filling a new one.pls help with a solution ooooooo

Just fill a new one. The new code is the one you will now use to pay

Please has any body tried entering the US and give reason like going to have IVF done and was granted? I mean both during first interview at the embassy and at POE.

Where you the person that picked up your luggage yourself to the next airline or was it transferred to the connecting airline by Air France authority.

Niksie:
Hello House, it’s time to share my POE experience. To God be all the glory.

I flew Airfrance on Thursday night, there was no issue with fit-to-fly letter as it seems they were not even interested anyway. I had it with me already so I just told the lady that attended to me at check-in desk and she collected a copy.
The flight was alright timing and all but I’ll say the food served and entertainment was just there.

The walk from where we landed in Paris to the next take off point was a bit long but it was ok for me at this point. I also noticed there were people in uniform at different points checking passport, visa and ticket as we walked.

Fast forward to new York (JFK) POE, the place wasn’t busy at the time we landed……I was directed to use the self-service machine after which I was sent to meet a CBP officer.

CBP officer (cool young guy): hello
Me: hi
CBP officer (cool young guy): how long will you be staying?
Me: about 10weeks (he looked surprised) so I quickly added that yea cos I’ll be on vacation and have my baby aswell.
CBP officer (cool young guy): oh you having your baby too?
Me: yea (the guy was cool with that and already stamping me in)

A young female colleague standing beside him heard him and cuts in

CBP officer (lady): are you sure you don’t wanna check with them inside?
CBP officer (cool young guy): hmmm not necessary, I don’t think they like the idea (I think he meant he dint need to go ask something he already knows how to handle)
CBP officer (lady): I think you should (then the guy went inside). She kept on questioning me.
Are you married? (Me: yes I am, showed her my ring)
Where are you having your baby?
Did you come to US prior to this to check for doctor and all? (Me: no I didn’t but I contacted the doctor)
Where are you staying?
Can you afford it? Where does your husband work? (Me: yes we can)
How much does it cost?
How do you intend to pay? (Me: I have some cash which I showed and my cards)
Is your husband coming to join you and bringing more cash? (Me: yea later but I’m with our bank cards to spend from account. I have the statements to show)
CBP officer (cool young guy): He came back in like 2mins…..madam, have your passport and enjoy your stay. He sent me towards agric cos I declared that I had food.

I picked up my baggage and realized that cart is USD 6.00 (oops), luckily one man offered to pay for me (awesome).
At agric, my boxes were scanned but not opened to search then I left (pushing the cart) to link the next terminal via air train to catch my delta flight to chicago.

Note: I had to insert the card I used to book the delta ticket during self-check-in maybe cos I booked on their site directly but it was mentioned at the point of booking.

I had a long wait time as I booked a late flight incase of delay. Walk to the boarding gate to Chicago was sooo long, I kept pausing along the way but maybe I should have joined the shuttle or something.

Finally, I got to Chicago then realized one of my boxes with food was forced open (padlock broken) by custom peeps for inspection and they dropped a card inside to notify me ( I guess this happened between when I checked in for new york - chicago flight).

Thank God for a nice POE experience and thank you for experiences shared here to prepare us for this journey.

Sir during the change of aircraft/airline in France airport, did you have to pick up your luggage yourself in France to join Delta airline or your luggage where transfer by the airline to Delta.

Ijesco:
I have used travelstart to US and dubai without issue. I used them to book an air France flight to usa for a colleague about 2 weeks ago and he travelled without issue. I used them in booking an airfrance flight for my trip to usa this weekend and was notified of some minor changes in the itinerary. Overall, the experience has been ok but I usually go to www.checkmytrip.com to confirm my bookings and keep abreast of any change in itinerary.

Why is there no law that will persecute this madness happening in Nigeria. Any church found doing this should be brought down and closed. We keep hearing ritual houses everyday and the government is not doing anything about it to stop them. Well they patronize them.

EXPATRIATE UTILISATION, TECHNICAL MANPOWER SERVICES AGREEMENT (TMSA) AND
NIGERIA CONTENT DEVELOPMENT ACT

PREAMBLE:
Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited is an affiliate of ExxonMobil Corporation, USA. The company is registered only under the corporate name of Mobil Producing Nigeria Ultd, MPNU, under Joint Ventures Agreement with the Nigeria Government through Nigeria
National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

BACKGROUND
The dwindling oil prices in the international market and its spiraling impact on the International oil companies (IOCs), and the Federal Government of Nigeria is no more news.
Prior to the drop of oil prices from $110 to $50 in mid-2014, MPNU had carried out separation exercise in December 2006 – separating about 140 regular staff. Again in 2015, the company initiated another special separation program and separated about 145 regular staff.

In both cases, the union accepted these programs because the impacted staff
members were allowed the option to accept or opt out of the programs(i.e. the program was made voluntary).
However, in 2016, the company came forward with another separation program and insisted that the program would be involuntary (i.e. the impacted personnel cannot opt out). This was against Company and industry practices. The Union requested that the program be made voluntary.

FACTS
Petroleum & Natural Gas
Senior Staff Association of Nigeria
MOBIL PRODUCING NIGERIA BRANCH

1.Functionalization:
MPNU introduced Functionalization into several departments. This is the transfer of Nigerian jobs to other affiliates outside the country but expenditure on those jobs are retained on the JVO account. This strategy moved jobs that were handled by Nigerians within the JVO out and rendered the departments and personnel redundant. Among the affected departments are IT Services, Operations Technical Surface (OTS), Operations Technical Sub-Surface (OTSS), Procurement,Human Relations (HR) and Global Real Estate Facilities (GREF) etc.
More painfully is that the strategy is purely capital flight and potential for unemployment. With functionalization, the cost of the jobs being transferred abroad became escalated, thereby increasing the company operating Expense, OPEX, particularly Salaries,
Wages and Benefits – SWB.

2. Technical Manpower Services Agreement (TMSA):
To circumvent the Nigerian
Content Development Act, NCDA,the company uses TMSA to bring in huge number of expatriates into the country. This avenue makes it easy for MPNU to bring in expatriates from other affiliates into Nigeria at very high contract amount ranging from 1400-1600USD/day for jobs that can be handled by Nigerians. Using this avenue, the expatriates are rotated or rolled over from one contracts to another to extend the length of stay for the expatriates. Thus, some expatriates have stayed up
to twenty (20) years in the country while Nigerians contract staff are being sacked every three (3) months through a 3-monthly contract tenure by the company – a contract that both Federal Ministry of Labour and NAPIMS have directed a stoppage yet MPNU has refused to implement the directive. This issue is still at the front burner at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

3. Expatriates influx:
Sometime in 2016, the company initiated an investigation in the activities of Marine department due to some reported irregularities. Some staffs were invited to a disciplinary hearing and the Union, in line with our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), participated in the process of the disciplinary hearing on behalf of our members that were involved in the investigation.

It is on record that none of our members were indicted by the disciplinary process but the company went ahead and separated most of the people that were involved. Shortly after this, the General Manager of the Logistics Support Department was replaced by an expatriate on a job that had been successfully manned by Nigerians in the past.
Also five new positions were created and the company filled them with expatriates from other affiliates at huge cost to the JV.

Furthermore, to implement their plans of bringing in more expatriates into Nigeria at the expense of National employees and at a huge cost to the Nation, the Company started a similar investigation in the Security department in 2016.

At the end of the investigation, none of the staff was found wanting. Yet the company reassigned three (3) Nigerian employees out of the Security Department to another Departments with a demotion; and then went further to frustrate them out of the company.

An expatriate was used to replace the General Manager, GM) – a position
which hitherto was assigned to Nigerians. It might equally interest you to note that in the wake of this investigation, 28 new expats were brought into the Security department to replace the 3 reassigned Nationals. 14 of this 28 work on a twenty (28) days back to back rotation with attendant huge logistics cost.

Out these 28 expats, 22 on contract are paid about $1600 per day (excluding logistics and other benefits). This translates to about NGN16 Million naira per month at the current exchange rate of NGN356/USD.

It is therefore disturbing and to bring to your attention that no Nigerian worker earns this kind of salary. This amounts to capital flight as some of these people do not even pay tax to Nigerian Government.

It is also instrumental to let you know that the responsibility of the security department rests with the Lead Country Manager who is the chairman of the security steering committee for ExxonMobil affiliates in Nigeria and he was not investigated alongside others for mismanagement of security.

4. Expatriates utilization cost: At a time like this when there is a high level of unemployment and the country is equally in need of revenue to meet up her budget MPNU, continues to bring in high cost expatriates into the country. Each expatriate spending could pay the salaries and wages of, on the average, close to 20 Nigerians doing the same job. Even more worrisome is the fact that these are the jobs that can be done by Nigerians.

In most cases, some of the contracts are over bloated with more expatriates than are needed for the project.

CURRENT ISSUES
1. 2015 Company initiated Special Separation Program: Following the irresponsible spending on expatriate utilization and Functionalization, the company started emphasizing on the option of cost cutting in all areas of operations. This was a welcome development to the union as it was believed that would help to lower the
operational expense (OPEX) in the company.

The option equally afforded the union
opportunity to undertake serious study in areas of wasteful spending; and came up with a document that was submitted to the Company Leadership. The areas of
wasteful spending identified by the Union included expatriate cost especially in hiring, accommodation and other logistics. It was very surprising that management refused to look into this area but decided to implement a special separation program for the Nigerian employees, arguing that the program would help to lower OPEX.

The union on the other hand refused to accept the program with the view that
management of MPNU was responsible for the high cost through the expat influx.
Following a long negotiation, both company and union (Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), agreed that the program be
implemented on a voluntary basis. The union equally accepted the program as a way forward in the light of the challenges in the oil and gas industry coupled with low crude oil price. At the end of the separation exercise, 145 personnel were separated from the Company; but shortly thereafter, the company filled up those vacant positions with expatriates.

Available record confirmed that no less than 50 expatriates were brought into the country as replacement for those Nigerians who were separated in 2015 despite the huge cost to the Joint Venture, mostly borne by the Nigerian Government. Worthy of note is the fact that after the separation program in December 2015, most of the vacated jobs given to expatriates were, in some cases, packaged as service contract to foreign companies, which have proven to be more expensive to the Company. This aroused the union doubt on Management sincerity in implementation of the cost cutting initiative.

2. July 2016 Company initiated Sacking of Nigerian Contract staff: Between May and July 2016, the company severed most of the Nigerian contract staff and this was purportedly based on same cost cutting initiative and in response to the unfavorable business environment within the industry. After the severance of these Nigerian contract staffs more expatriates were brought in to take up those positions.
In the wake of July 2015, following an attack by insurgence on the export line, the company eased out additional 300 Nigerian contract staff; this was under the pretext that it was because of safety of asset and personnel. As we write those contract staff are still at home. This has created issues within the host community and its environs, including safety threat to both Company and personnel.

3. 2016 Company initiated Special Separation Program: Sometime in November 2016, Company notified the Union of another planned Special Separation Program for 2016. The Union in the meeting called by management expressed their worry and concern on the numerous and frequent sacks and separation of nationals, especially as they are being replaced by expats. The union’s fear became worsened when management insisted that the separation program must be involuntary against the industry practice and precedence within Company.

The Union expressed this concern and therefore insisted that the exercise was not justifiable, given the issues
regarding functionalization, high expatriates’ costs and previous backfilling of vacant positions with expats. The union added that if the program must be implemented, then it has to be voluntary. Management insisted that the program would be implemented as “involuntary” program where the impacted employees would not have options. While the discussions were still ongoing, management unilaterally and without recourse to CBA, principles of bargaining and other best practices,went ahead and implemented the separation program on December 14, 2016. Union felt
that Management has shown no respect to the sanctity of agreement reached (CBA),
and established protocols, and such apparent disregard resulted in industrial crisis, which is lingering till date.

4. The Industrial Crisis between Union and MPNU Management: While discussion on the separation program was still ongoing between union and Management,management took adjournment on December 9, 2016. Whereas the union was expecting the meeting to reconvene the following week management, in the wake of December 14, 2016, unilaterally, without reconvening the adjourned meeting, went ahead and implemented the program, issuing letters of termination of appointment to the impacted employees. And in the process activated its Business Continuity Plan – a plan which is intended to lock the employees out and continue production, upon the reaction of the workers’ union.

At that point the union realized that management was only negotiating in bad faith. This led to the union calling out
her members and withdrawing services, which led to shutdown of production.

THE UNION PRAYERS
It has become a tradition and a recurrent decimal for the International Oil Companies to fire Nigerian employees and replace them with expatriates who have no special skill set than Nigerians. It is also clear that most of these expatriates are mentored by Nigerians upon their arrival here, instead of the reverse.

It is even more worrisome that the cost of bringing in these expatriates are very high and are borne by the JV account. Situation where the cost of one expatriate worker is enough to pay the salaries of about twenty (20) Nigerian workers cannot be explained. It equally calls for greater concern why Nigerian jobs are being taken abroad in the name of “Functionalization” and leaving behind threat of unemployment even when the expense is carried by JV account,hence the Nigerian Budget.

It is on the basis of the aforementioned that we request your intervention as follows:

1. That a comprehensive audit of expatriate utilization and quota be conducted in MPNU,
2. That the eighty-three (83) Nigerians unjustifiably sacked in the 2016 Separation Program be reinstated immediately.
3. Immediate reversal of the suspension of our members and to stop any form of
harassment to them, including the use of Department of State Security (DSS)
operatives.
4. All the middle and Senior management positions previously occupied by Nigerians but currently seconded to expatriate reversed.
5. That “Functionalization” of Nigerian jobs be stopped immediately and affected
departments be reinstated to provide additional employment to qualified Nigerians

Yours truly,
For: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS SENIOR STAFF ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (PENGASSAN)
MPN BRANCH
Comrade Anietie David Udoh
Secretary, PENGASSAN MPN Branch
Cc: Chairman – MPN Branch, PENGASSA

babaegun:
Yes, its been raining and cloudy here meaning less sunshine so i said in my earlier post. I believe it will shoot beyond that as time goes on. Battery bank is just for 4 for now. Intention is to go up to 15 panels with 8 batteries but NOT now. Also, I have not really loaded it. Just couple of items - fridge, lights, tv, etc etc are running on it. Thanks for your comment anyway.

Check your harvest on a sunny day to see what your max power output is from your panels. With the number of panels you have it should more than what you are getting. congrats once more.
I was challenge to set up mine after 6months of no power from the national grid. Although a small unit with just 3panels, atleast i can sleep with light if there is sun light during the day.
i have taught my people what power management requires when inverter is on.

KillerBeauty:
Andela office

Amazing photos

[quote author=DMerciful post=54688301][/quote]Please is there any cable that comes along with this controller.

olassy239:
Am currently an I.T student, my school final result as not been released. can i still apply as an I.T student.

You can apply if you already know your result will be ready before you are called to test. Also you have a minimum of lower credit.

Omo just remove the roof of the house......the person go leave







quote author=bebe2 post=54897907]Good day all,

Pls I need to advice from experienced house owners or legal minds .

We just purchased a property that has 4flats, three of the tenants moved out leaving one who has refused to move.

On further investigation we realised he wasn't the original tenant, he was squatting with the original tenant who moved out of the country .

We have explained to him but has refused saying he want to renew the tenancy and be paying rent.

He has gone to get a letter from lagos state mediation centre . Which has forced us to get lawyer to start legal proceedings.

Considering he is subletting, and was not the original tenant should we going thru the court?

Bottom line is how do we get this tenant out?[/quote]

Sir kindly help me with my car facts.
VIN 5J6RE4H76BL806101

iykmon4life@gmail.com

hahahahahahahahahaha

Kondomatic:
He never changes.


Buhari Then: Abacha never stole.
Buhari Now: Declares war on looters of Abacha's loot.

Buhari on may 2015: I don't know what fuel subsidy means.

Buhari: Fuel subsidy is fraud.

Buhari Nov 2015: Buhari seeks NASS approval to pay subsidy.

this is money in action. No need to burn fuel to sell fuel. Innovative idea.

Gennextech:
its advisable that we clean/wash our panels after this dusty period , after cleaning at a site we had about 50% better efficiency

Please those this include custom duty cleared.

hassrash:
budget 5.5/6m wil buy the full accura mdx 2012

hassrash:
Budget 7m for ML350 2013

budget 5.5m for mdx 2012

Sir what is the price of Acura mdx 2012 full option with fender.

Please i want to know if this battery can be charge from the an inverter not only from solar panel.
Do you keep records of the impedance test of any battery you want to sell.

Skilz4real:
Valve Regulated Lead-Crystal Solar Inverter Deep-Cycled Battery.

A new brand of Deep-cycled Solar Inverter battery with the latest long-lasting embedded technology called "Valve Regulated Lead-Crystal." Unlike the conventional Lead-Acid deep cycled batteries that have maximum life-span of two years, Lead-Crystal is a modernized technology in the battery that gives a long-lasting lifespan of ten to eighteen years above when used at required condition.

What is a Lead-Crystal battery?
The unique Lead-Crystal battery consists of a number of special features including: a micro porous high absorbent mat (AGM), thick plates cast from high purity lead calcium selenium alloy (which ensures an extended life), and a SiO2 based electrolyte solution. During the charge / discharge cycles the electrolyte solidifies and forms a white crystalline powder. This eventually results in a safer, high performing and environmentally friendlier battery. The Lead-Crystal battery can be used as a substitute for most battery technologies in the lead category, such as lead acid, lead gel and AGM.

- Application of Lead-Crystal batteries
Lead-Crystal batteries are being used in a wide range of applications including, but not limited to telecoms, ups, petrochem/marine, defence, renewable energy, health care, manufacturing, transportation and electric motion (wheelchairs, golf carts & trolleys).

- Life Span: Lead-Crystal batteries have a design life of 18 years if well used.

- Storage capacity of a Lead-Crystal battery:
The Lead Crystal battery has an extremely low self-discharge and can be stored for more than two years without any top-up charging prior to use.

- Temperatures that Lead Crystal batteries can be used:
Lead Crystal batteries can operate in a wide temperature range from -40°C to +65°C. Lead Crystal® batteries can even be charged below zero degrees C.

- Lead-Crystal batteries hold less acid, no cadmium, no antimony. Lead-Crystal batteries are up to 99% recyclable and are classified as non-hazardous goods for transport.

- Lead-Crystal batteries have a lower internal resistance than lead acid batteries due to the difference in active material of the positive electrode.

- Lead-Crystal batteries can be charged up to 3C without any impact on their cycle life. This means they can be charged 2-3 faster than other batteries ( lead acid, lead gel or AGM batteries).

- Less Hazardous: Due to the construction and chemical reaction inside a Lead-Crystal battery, sulfation hardly ever occurs. Lead-Crystal batteries contain less sulphuric acid. They do not contain toxins such as cadmium or antimony either.

- Lead-Crystal batteries can achieve a 100% Depth of Discharge: It can be discharged in full frequently, even to 0 Volt. This makes Lead-Crystal batteries extremely resilient for deep discharging.

- Lead-Crystal batteries can be partially charged i.e. you don’t have to charge them fully to be able to use them.

Price: #120,000 per one

Warranty: 1 year
Call 08183795397 or send a mail to sales.olariel@gmail.com

sad day for church members

People looking for their loved once. what a sad moment.

more pictures please

You are doing a great job madam. i am more inspired to join in growing vegetables to make Nigeria an exporting nation.

Very interesting to know more about other sources of power.

[quote author=ncolumella post=418675


Nice job mr William,I have some question I will love to ask you.
1)where is your manufacturing location?
2)Please are you saying you will transport the package unit to any location in Nigeria.e.g akwa ibom
3) What are other safety designs do have on the vessels, safety devices like psv and also nitrogen purge supply lines.
4)Other things like flame arrestor on the supply pipe to the pump.
5) Gas leak sensors around the pump to help indicate gas leak around the supply cabinet box.

You didn't mention this as part of your design features that why I am asking. I hoping to have one in the near future if your product will have these feature. I am concern more about the safety of operation. remember the recent incidence in anambra State.
You are doing a great job I must confess.

Please can anybody tell me the duties and responsibility of an estate surveyor when he is managing your property.
What role does he play when things go wrong.
How is the agree percentage paid.
many thanks

Please can anybody tell me the duties and responsibility of an estate surveyor when he is managing your property.
What role does he play when things go wrong.
How is the agree percentage paid.
many thanks

Ibinwanne:
@iykmon. Thanks for your questions. The pumps and every other part of the plant performs specific functions, each is different from the other, but they all compliment each other. The aspect of boasting water pressure in the house is very much possible and it doesn't cost much to achieve the desired water pressure that is required in the house. Kindly call me or chat me up so that we can discuss it at length, because I have few questions I will like to ask you myself in other to understand the challenges your facing there as well as advise you on the solution. Thanks a lot in appreciation.

Thanks for your response.
The fact is there is this 14 rooms self contain apartment I am supervising, we are about commencing the final plumbing stage. Which entails connecting the overhead tank to the house.
Although that has not been done, but from previous experience I have seen a situation where there is always a drop in water pressure when the water is been use on the ground floor and there won't be water in the up floor. So I really want to avoid such situation for the occupants of the house when it is fully completed.