Google Maps Satellite Imagery

It looks like Google have updated their satellite imagery for Lagos and Abuja. I'm not sure how old the images are but Lagos must be within the last 3 years, just looking at the various developments.

I've put together a map of various sights, take a look. Share anything else you discover in the comments.

Here are some of the highlights.

Abuja - National Assembly

Lagos - Eko Hotel

Lagos - National Theatre

National Geographic Features an article on the Niger Delta

Stealing links from other blogs is not a habit I like, but this article in the National Geographic, which came to my attention once again via Jeremy's blog, is worth spreading far and wide. The photos in the photo gallery will stick in my mind next time I fill my tank with Petrol.

Source: National Geographic

As a side note, the company I work for has often been involved in community projects sponsored by the oil companies, some are very successful, others, especially the most recent projects have suffered delays after delays. Mostly because of Political interference as far as we can tell.

PHCN/NEPA Pre Payment Meters

PHCN have recently provided us with a new Meter for our power consumption. This meter is a pre-payment meter meaning we have to purchase credit from the PHCN offices and then enter the code given on the receipt into the meter to get power. A display on the front indicates the kWH remaining for your current credit.



Since installation there are many problems that make this new meter a complete nuisance

1. The Meter will only indicate what credit remains or allow you to enter more credit when there is power - When there's no credit the only way you can tell there is power is that a zero is shown on the LCD display


2. If you run out of credit you better hope it's not at night or on a Sunday, the office is closed!


3. Our consumption seems to be measured much higher on the new system. We will be using test equipment on ours soon to confirm it.


4. According to some sources we will be paying ₦50,000 for this meter in 24 monthly instalments - We did not ask for this meter, nor were we given a choice so why should we pay? - Also we paid for the old meter too so why were those removed from our premises without permission?


5. PHCN sent us a ₦7562.10 Power Bill for December after we had the pre-payment meter installed in November!

Bah! This is Shenanigans!

Abuja Photos

I've posted a handful of my Abuja photographs to flickr, but haven't had chance to update any captions or organise them into sets at the time of posting this.

Here's a couple to check out.

Eleko Beach Panorama

A Photo Diary from a first time visitor to Lagos

After catching up with some of my blog reading, I got hooked by a link on Back to the Beginning by Through these Eyes. A South African man's visit to Lagos working for V Mobile September 2005. A number of things he says in his commentary aren't strictly true but it's only to be expected on your first trip, The information you have to absorb is so overwelming mistakes are easy to make. But "He don try sha!"

Back from Rhodes

Bought a tripod before leaving so I could try my hand at Panoramic Photographs.

Check them out.