Yemisi Izuora
A Joint Venture Partnership worth over US$20m has been sealed between Omni Helicopters International based in Brazil and Omni Blu Aviation Limited for the launch and development of Omni Helicopters Nigeria (OHN).
Under the partnership, Omni Helicopters would specifically provide offshore services for the oil and gas company.
At a time there is a significant lull in the oil and gas value chain and the extant stiff competition among helicopter companies in the sector, the two companies believe the lull in the sector provides an opportunity for them to carve a niche.
The Brazilian company which is the parent of Brazil’s leading offshore aviation specialist Omni Taxi Aereo S.A has over 50 helicopters of different models in its fleet and it is expected to support Omni Helicopters with at least 10 helicopters.
Managing Director of Omni Blu, Capt. Sunny Adegbuyi said the partnership would boost the country’s economy as well as the oil and gas sector, saying OHN would be a 100 per cent Nigerian company. It would make use of Omni Helicopters’ International’s technical expertise, access to aircraft and track record in safety and operating environment, according to him.