The Controller in charge of the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Mohammed Abba-Kura on Thursday said that 10 of his officers have contacted COVID-19, but were treated at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
These is even as the Controller stated that any vessel that have been red-flagged over COVID-19 related issues will not be boarded by officers of the command.
Addressing maritime journalists in his office on Thursday, Comptroller Mohammed Abba-Kura explained that the command can not because of the dreaded COVID-19, stop physical examination of cargoes. He added that rather, it is important for individuals to observe physical hygiene while carrying out port activities.
According to Abba-Kura, "when two of my officers tested positive to the COVID-19, I ordered that the entire unit where those two were working should go for testing, and it was later discovered that another eight had the virus.
"They have all been treated at LUTH and discharged. It is important that people observe personal hygiene when working in a place like the ports. Look at these face mask, it is supposed to be disposable, but you will see people using it for days without disposing after first use.
"Now, most of my officers are better-informed following training that were carried out by doctors sent to us from the Customs headquarters in Abuja."
On the Red-Flag that raised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on 13 ships that had visited COVID-19 prone countries, the Comptroller stated that any ship that has been flagged by necessary government agencies over health or safety concern, will not be boarded by Customs officers until duly cleared by relevant agencies of government handling such issue.
But, NIMASA has allayed fears over the alarm it raised last weekend about the imminent arrival in Nigeria of the 13 ships.
Even though it had warned that, relevant agencies should be on the lookout for the ships, NIMASA’s spokesperson; My Philip Kyanet told Shipping Position Daily that the essence of the alarm was to raise awareness and ensure that the red-flagged ships adhere to the relevant protocols as regards ships coming in from COVID-19 high risk countries.
When told that, some of the ships are already in the ports, Mr Kyanet expressed optimism that the ships must have undergone the required protocols, before being allowed to berth.
Investigations by Shipping Position Daily revealed that, four of the five ships that were affected by the NIMASA alarm were already in Apapa port.
While Nord Supreme berthed at the oil jetty with PMS, Desert Peace arrived at Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited(ABTL) on Saturday, June 27 with 48,728 metric tons of bulk wheat.
Another ship, Shanghai Eagle had already arrived at GDNL terminal at Apapa port
The remaining two, namely: Ebony Ray loaded with PMS and Desert Hope loaded with bulk sugar are both expected to berth July on 4.
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