The fortunes of the once enviable Caverton Helicopters seem to be going on a downward spiral. The aviation company owned by one of the patriarchs o
The fortunes of the once enviable Caverton Helicopters seem to be going on a downward spiral.
The aviation company owned by one of the patriarchs of high society, Chief Remi Makanjuola used to be considered as one of Nigeria’s leading provider of marine, aviation and logistics services to local and international oil and gas companies in Nigeria but is now, allegedly struggling to stay afloat.
First, the company has had to deal with a series of crashes.
Back in 2019, one of the company’s helicopters, which had Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on board, crash-landed in Kabba, Kogi State.
The vice president escaped unhurt. While the company blamed adverse weather conditions for the crash, the report by Accident Investigation Bureau attributed the crash to human error.
Again, only about a month ago, another one in its fleet crashed in Cameroon, killing all passengers on board including the pilot, Adzuayi Ewuga, the daughter of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Solomon Ewuga.
The helicopter crashed in a forest after loosing radio contact with air traffic services.
And about two week ago, the company lost its lucrative contract with Chevron to rival company, Bristow Helicopters.
It was gathered that the loss was allegedly due to the company’s poor maintenance culture of its fleet.
To make matters worse, Caverton only just secured about $17 million to finance the Chevron contract.
With its loss, the company’s financial capabilities has only just worsened as it would now be harder than ever for it to keep the company afloat or prevent pilots from leaving.
Prior to this recent blow, reports emerged about poor management and non-payment of pilots’ salaries, among others which most of the pilots couldn’t endure and thus triggered an exodus from the firm.
Indeed the offices of the aviation company nation wide was shut in 2018 as staff accused the company of running a slave camp.
The company was accused of failing to remit pension deducted from staff salaries for over two years as well as refusal to renegotiate the conditions of service.
Some of the local pilots and engineers revealed that at Caverton, some animals are more equal than others. The Nigerian workers accused Caverton of discriminating against indigenous pilots and engineers and abuse of Nigeria expatriates’ quota law.
Also, investors are said to be allegedly pulling out their funds by selling off their shares which has resulted in the company’s shares dwindling beyond control.
THEWILL
