ANCHOR WALKER

Time was 2:30 am december 23rd 2014. I got a call that the Diving Team would set out to sea by 4am max. An oil servicing Vessel just lost an Anchor at sea. The ship's Captain, due to drifting of the ship, decided to release sufficient sling wires of the fallen anchor to mark the spot where the anchor would still be under the sea bed, We assembled at our coconut jetty in Apapa, Lagos Nigeria and set out to sea as early as 4am amidst fog and haze. And crossed the Lagos bar into the atlantic, south east of the Lagos anchorage. We located the distressed Vessel before 6am. With no time to waste,. Diver Jimoh Mustapha and Diver Frank Igolukomo kitted up as the Vessel's Captain briefed us the situation. The plan was to dive 27 meters deep, following slacked sling wires across an unknown distance under the sea bed to locate the anchor. We felt we have to make a small story out of this operation as Diver Mustapha led the way and Diver Frank recorded behind him. The Anchor was spotted on time. Mustapha made the reconnections, dragging heavy shackles and locks to the Anchor which became good for take up. But... By the time the Divers emerged to the sea surface, they were about 300 meters away from the Vessel and our boat. This distance explains how far the sea current had drifted the ship away from the spot where the anchor fell. Their faint shouts got our attension and we drove the boat to pull them in. The Vessel came close and it was the final time for the Anchor to be taken up. The operation lasted about 3 hours and it was very successful. To see this video please follow this link http://youtu.be/N9cLTmYTiFs Thanks for watching. Henry Ejeta.

THE RETURN OF FUEL

These vehicles and their owners here, slept in this filling station till the next day.

 As we approach the Benin by pass high way in Edo State mid western Nigeria, we saw a filling station selling the much needed fuel for our Toyota high a5ce bus. We were happy there was no fuel queue. We would just drive in straight to the fuel pump and buy our petrol.

We asked the fuel attendant for price, she told us 195 naira per liter. We needed to buy 60 liters if we must make it to Sapele area of Delta State and still have enough fuel for the journey the next day. Our calculation showed that we must pay N 11, 700 :00 k

THE PRICE OF FUEL
Petrol sells at the government subsidized price of N 86:50 k per liter but due to a prolonged scarcity of fuel some filling stations are now selling at N 195 :00 k per liter.

In Sapele township, we asked the price of fuel in another less busy filling station, they told us N 190 ;00 k per liter.

I did not return back to Lagos with our bus but moved to Warri and Ughelli in Delta State. I found that a liter of fuel varies from N 180- 190: 00. Delta is a major oil producing state in Nigeria, yet the people are gradually getting used to the increased price of fuel.
A friend said, if you want to buy fuel at the subsidized rate, go to any of the NNPC mega filling stations and join the queue for half a day before you may buy fuel.

THE NNPC MEGA STATIONS
The government started building mega filling stations owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) as a reaction to the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Employers (NUPENG) industrial strike of the 1990s that almost grounded the military government of General Sani Abacha when truck drivers refused to lift fuel from depots to supply to filling stations.

The government responded by purchasing hundreds of fuel trucks and started building hundreds of mega filling stations in many towns and cities across Nigeria so that the NUPENG  can never ground the country in future.

These mega filling stations and their trucks may now become the last to retain fuel price at the government rate of N 86: 50k per liter.

Filling stations refuse to sell to gallons.

THE TRUE PRICE OF FUEL

Selling fuel at government regulated price may no longer be feasible due to technical, global and investment realities.
In 2012, former President Jonathan wanted subsidy on all refined petroleum products removed - pms fuel, diesel, kerosene, aviation fuel - because it is becoming too expensive for government to fund, reaching over N 1 trillion a year.
The infiltration of the subsidy payment system by very smart, corrupt business men who receive payments for products they never supplied.
Discouraging investors from building refineries due to government regulation policies.

A fuel discharge operation at night.

Millions of Nigerians refused the removal of subsidy and staged perfectly organized peaceful protests in most towns and cities across Nigeria, forcing the Jonathan led government to retain the subsidy but adjusted the price to N 87: 00 per liter and introduced the Subsidy Re investment fund.

Few years later, billionaire business man, Aliko Dangote will face the risk and began the construction of a large refinery in Lagos State so as to meet the demands for fuel. Dangote may not sell fuel from his refinery at the government regulated price of N 86: 50 per liter.

In Lagos state and few other cites, most filling stations would prefer to sell fuel at nights to the gallon boys called black markets, who re sell to cars and the public at N 120- 150 per liter during the day time. This may be the real price of fuel because whenever there is scarcity people buy fuel from the black markets at N 120- 150 per liter which is also the same price in some eastern states of the country year in year out.

If you must buy fuel at N 86: 50 k you must be ready to queue up at a filling station for up to 12 hours  everyday.

If the government removes the subsidy on petroleum products as at today - we believe they will do so - the true price of fuel will be 120 - 190 naira per liter. This price will vary from city to city across Nigeria as distance of loading terminals and depots will affect supply and transport logistics.

The government is looking for ways to cut spending, save money, raise money and spend on other critical sectors and infrastructures in the country.


NO NEED TO SUFFER OURSELVES

Crowd, cars and traffic. Safety in this kind of environment is zero.

The usual long wait and queue for fuel is chaotic and very dangerous.

In some places in Lagos state, people abandon their vehicles permanently in filling stations in perpetual search for fuel. Many others even sleep at filling stations hoping they will open for sale during the mid night and sell even at higher prices.

Many others carry between 5- 50 liters of gallons and queue for longer hours hoping to buy fuel to run their generators at home or small business shops. But nowadays, fuel attendants may not sell into gallons if such gallons do not belong to their small cell of black market operators. People now loose out the fuel tanks of their generators and bring to filling stations to buy fuel. This is the most dangerous method to buy fuel yet people in desperate need will do anything to get fuel.

President Buhari believes that fuel subsidy is a scam and laden with corrupt processes and practices. As the people look up to him to do a good job, reality is gradually setting in and that is the Buhari led federal government may one day cancel fuel subsidy and if that happens, Nigerians must adjust as they are now getting used to the real price of fuel.

GIANT MILITARY AIRCRAFTS

They are able to carry more troops, equipment and supplies across the world to military staging areas.
They are able to fly longer distances and some even refuel in mid air.

C-17 Globe master

 

 In modern military operations, soldiers with the more reach out ability, that are able to deploy and receive supplies to their staging locations and theaters have the advantage in combat operations.
 Although air crafts like these are not only used for military purposes, they have been used in time of humanitarian needs and emergency, like flooding and other natural disasters, bringing food and relief materials to people.

Some of these air crafts type can also drop items and supplies on pallets to remote areas from the air in locations where there are no air ports.

As big, powerful countries expand their political, economic and military policies and influence across the world, the giant air lifters have been fulfilling their roles for might and strength.

The non military use of these air crafts are of more benefits to humans in ensuring massive civilian supplies in times of needs.

              

Antonov 225

The Mitsubishi Regional Jet

Sitting between 70 - 90 passengers, this jet from MitsubishI Is going to be the sure bet in regional flights.

Built by Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation, a partnership between majority owner Mitsubishi heavy Industries and Toyota motor corporation.

It had its first flight on the 11th of november 2015. With 2 prototypes built,  the MRJ 70 and the MRJ 90.

Still in test, deliveries are scheduled for 2018.

FUTURE CIVIL AIR TRANSPORT

The Quad Deck Monster Jumbo Jet by Phil Pauley.

As air passengers and tourists grow, so it will be for air craft sizes to grow to monster flying machines.

Anchor Walker

the most dangerous road in the World.

The Apapa- Oshodi express way in Lagos state Nigeria.
From the mile 2 end of the road to the sea ports is the most dangerous areas.
Vehicles, Motor Cycles and Pedestrians struggle for space caused by total blockade of the entire opposite by heavy trucks.