Shippers’ Council, NCDC move to check COVID-19 spread at seaports

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has said it is collaborating with the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, in its efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, especially within Nigeria’s maritime industry.

In line with this objective, the council has concluded plans to commerce the distribution of hundreds of health and safety materials including face masks and hand sanitisers to the leaders of seven trucking associations.

Head, Public Relations unit of the council, Hajia Rakiya Zubairu, who spoke in Lagos, Tuesday, said this initiative is particularly significant because truckers, being essential workers, are some of the few people who are allowed to move across state lines as they deliver essential cargoes all around the country.

Recall that NSC, through the Federal Ministry of Transport, had made a strong case for this category of persons to be allowed free movement as they convey goods from the ports to the lengths and breaths of Nigeria and indeed beyond the borders of the country.

It was also gathered that the council has commenced routine visits to all seaport terminals and shipping companies as part of measures to sensitise them on the need and ways to stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Investigations also show that the NCDC has assigned one of its doctors to deliver talks on COVID-19 at the various locations where freight forwarders and members of staff of these organisations will be present.

The Port Health Services department of the Federal Ministry of Health will also be present at these sensitisation campaigns.

Shippers’ Council, being the promoter of this sensitisation campaign, will give out face masks and sanitisers to all present at all the terminals and shipping companies.

(Business and Transport)