OFW i Nigeria what can you say about the travel ban issued by Phil. Govt.

**gonzo** · February 24th, 2008 03:45 PM

Hi all tsikoteers, Im an OFW here in Nigeria I been here for 8 years, last year may mga incident of kidnappings and govt issued a total travel ban on OFW who are going to Nigeria.

My take, how do I feel? I think govt is over reacting. Nigeria is a big country and kidnappings are isolated in a remote area where oil fields are. I understand that a lot of filipinos working there too. but they are working on a multi-national company and security measures and policy is followed strictly. To give some background it started when 25 filipino seaman were kidnapped, they were not briefed on security or thier carrier is just stupid that they went into a hot spot area un escorted. They were released eventually and ang mga kidnappers are just like bandits they just demand money. They dont kill thier victims.

My point is why issue a total ban to all OFW? not all filipino works in a dangerous area, and multi-national oil company is not risking thier expat to be kidnapped, they evacuate them to safer areas as soon they feel security is breached. mas malaki financial damage kung may makidnap sa personnel nila, besides these company are protecting thier global image as a safe environmental friendly and value thier people.

Now why total ban? why not partial ban or an advisory? like other nationalities here? americans, brits, europeans? some brits says your govt is crazy are you not the real target of kidnappers we are... you are just there in a wrong place in a wrong time. And its true...

Most OFW here are working on a good package, some 28/28, Im on a 3months 3 weeks term, very sad that we cant freely go home now because we were not allowed to go back in Nigeria once we will spend our vacation on our beloved country. We are tagged as heroes OFW but we feel we are oppresed and taken hostage by our govt. If I lost my precious job here what Im gonna do in Philippines I cant earn my salary back home. And looking for a new job is not easy and expensive too.

We OFW here in Nigeria are only working for our families to have a better life that we cant get from our coutry. Why cant govt just help us instead we already sacrifice a lot just to have a good life by working away from home.

We already exerted a lot of efforts to a point we posted a paid adds to a local daily of our plight here.

We are not in a country in WAR, Nigeria is a nice place if you learn the culture and the people.

HELP...........

**SecretShop** · October 29th, 2008 06:00 AM

I almost got a job in Nigeria last year but due to the travel ban, it did not materialize.
However, I saw an article dancewithshadows.com/travel/philippines-travel-ban.asp
saying that the ban has been lifted partially. I just searched this because a friend asked about the travel ban in Afghanistan. If this article is still valid he will not have a problem going home and return to Afghanistan. He is planning to spend Christmas with his family then go back. I hope that the ban has been really lifted at least partially so the OFW's can join their families this Christmas season.

**spearhead_970** · October 29th, 2008 07:20 AM

Nigeria, what can I say?,marami na talagang cases na dapat lang siguro na I ban,,I been in Nigeria many times,Kahit naman hindi sa oilfield mga tao ganon pa rin ,,gaya lang sa airport mga custom/immigration doon kukunin lahat ng dala mong pera,.merong isang case na ganito in mid 90's isang polish national na papauwi ng Poland.may dala siyang pera at nakita ng custom,kinukuha sa kanya at ayaw naman siempre ibigay dahil pinaghirapan din niya yon.,at ang nangyari sa kanya binugbog mismo sa airport, pinagtulungan sa harap ng maraming tao,hanggang sa di na siya makabangon,,mabuti nga at tinulungan pa siya ng ahente ng company nila para isakay sa eroplano..at yon nagsampa ng kaso ang gobyerno ng Poland sa nangyari pero wala din nangyari,,kaya siempre ang gobyerno ng Pilipnas ay umiiwas din siguro sa mga pangyayaring ganito at para din sa kapakanan natin

,,at hindi naman yata total ban,,bibigyan ka lang ng option or pipirma ka ng waiver or something na kung may mangyari man sa iyo ay wala ng sagutin ang gobyerno ng pinas,.may extra compensation pa nga yata or depende din sa employer mo..

**russpogi** · October 29th, 2008 04:29 PM

Same thing din sa Mindanao. Media sensationalize things which puts a bad image to Mindanao na magulo dun, et al. Duh? Isolated case din yun!

I feel for you bro. Even I don't believe that the total ban is necessary for Nigeria. OA lang talaga gobyerno natin.

**redorange** · October 29th, 2008 04:50 PM

Even if the dangerous places are only isolated I think the ban would be a good idea. Why? Well every time a Pinoy gets held hostage the family expects the government to save them. Then if the government is unable to do save the person they get the blame from the family and the public. I think people need to start being responsible for their actions, if you go to a country that you know is dangerous and you have been warned be ready to suffer the consequences and don't blame the government.

Any case I hope the TS stay safe in Nigeria.

**gonzo** · November 18th, 2008 04:40 AM

Thanks for all the feed back. All I can add up to now the ban still remains and government is somewhat deaf in our plead for lifting of the ban or at least partial lifting.

* spearhead_970 thanks for your observation in Nigeria you are right it can happen here, and I believe the Poland did not issue a travel ban to its people in Nigeria.

* redorange yes thats the real reason why they issue the travel ban, they dont want a distress filipino in other country to ask for help. If we will look how many OFW in middle east na na pahamak sa mga employer and mga napugotan ng ulo sa Saudi and yet the govt cant issue a travel ban to those countries? Why Nigeria where in fact Nigeria is not a war torn country... we have a very good filipino community here and infact our Filipino barangay chairman is chosen as BANAAG awardee.

Any case I hope the TS stay safe in Nigeria.

Thanks bro

* russpogi Thanks and I do believe na govt must re-asses the situation and act accordingly, Energy Sec. Angelo Reyes ay nakarating dito at nag speech about energy management since they have power crises dito.. and the filipinos here accomodate Angelo Reyes even let him try the Nigerian life of filipinos here.

Marami na ring mga bumisita na taga embassy na sabi mag recommend na ma lift but all we are all waiting is nothing.

We are desperate and feel dis-appointed to our govt. We are deprived with our vacation that we can spend with our family during this Christmas season.... our company let us go for vacation 4 times a year, but our govt says when we come home we cant go back to our beloved work in Nigeria because its dangerous.... saan kami lalagay

Just sharing our sentiment here... Merry Christmas in advance dyan sa inyo

**teeyoh** · November 21st, 2008 06:52 PM

Bro nakakalungkot talaga ang situation nyo dyan sa Nigeria. I don’t know kung other Pinoy Expats in the Port Hartcourt, Boni Island Areas has also that problem, alam ko partially lifted na ang ban. May pre-qualification sa mga companies that ensure their HRP’s (high risk personnel) security and safety. Surely if your company does not meet these requirements, either you have to stay or find another job.

**gonzo** · November 22nd, 2008 05:29 AM

Originally Posted by teeyoh

Bro nakakalungkot talaga ang situation nyo dyan sa Nigeria. I don’t know kung other Pinoy Expats in the Port Hartcourt, Boni Island Areas has also that problem, alam ko partially lifted na ang ban. May pre-qualification sa mga companies that ensure their HRP’s (high risk personnel) security and safety. Surely if your company does not meet these requirements, either you have to stay or find another job.

lahat ng pinoy apektado buong Nigeria ang ban, mapa small time company to oil and gas, lahat total ban, dati partial ban nakaka uwi kami ang may mga good record company ang naka ban lang ang mga first timer, ang company ko bro multi-national din may risk assesment pa kami and emergency measure in place.. ang problema namin eh ang Immigration dahil once na may ban sa Nigeria wala silang sina santo. nag offer na nga ang company na mag bakasyon na lang outside Philippines papupuntahin namin pamilya namin dun... ok rin nagawa ko na rin pero magastos din and pag lagi di na masaya....and kailangn namin talaga ang maka uwi sa pinas... iba pa rin kung maka uwi ka sa sariling bansa.
hayyyy... kailan pa kaya

BTW bro alam mo mga lugar dito ahh dati ka ba sa Nigeria? ako sa Lagos based ako.

salamat sa concern..

**teeyoh** · November 22nd, 2008 06:39 PM

yeah now it's clear to me na 2 months lang pala in effect yung partial lifting then binawi agad ng DOLE

so matagal na pala kayo dyan na hindi nakakauwi since hindi makapagdesisyun mga agente ng gobyerno. tsk tsk sayang nga pag umuwi at di na makakabalik pero just the same kaunting patience pa at pag nagimprove security situation dyan i think they will have to lift the ban soon. btw i haven't been in nigeria but some of my Filipino co-workers in another project before were assigned there... (immigrated to canada and australia-kaya pala nakakauwi sila).

**Capt.Bob** · July 17th, 2011 06:25 PM

revive ko lang po ang thread na 'to... how's the security situation now in Nigeria?
meron kasi sakin offer yung TOTAL to work on their new FPSO to be stationed in USAN Field...
any inputs from our tsikoteers in this part of the world will be highly appreciated... salamat po