The Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA) has been commended by the Consular General of the United States of America over efforts to combat the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
Speaking while being received by the Managing Director of NPA; Malam Habib Abdullahi at the NPA Headquarters in Marina, Mr Jeffrey Hawkins described efforts made by the NPA as “reassuring and genuine’’.
The Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA) has been commended by the Consular General of the United States of America over efforts to combat the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
Speaking while being received by the Managing Director of NPA; Malam Habib Abdullahi at the NPA Headquarters in Marina, Mr Jeffrey Hawkins described efforts made by the NPA as “reassuring and genuine’’.
Malam Habib while welcoming the envoy to NPA gave the assurance that all relevant departments and agencies like the Medical, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) the Ports Health, the Federal Ministry of Health and Lagos State Ministry of Health have been placed on high alert for preventive and curative measures in case of any suspected EVD case in any of the nation’s seaports.
He said Port Health officials are the first to enter vessels and conduct checks before other officers like Customs, Immigration. are allowed on board, even as he affirmed that the number of officials who board vessels have been reduced drastically.
Malam Abdullahi also added that since Nigeria does not operate cruise ships and hardly receive vessels from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea for now, the possibility of passengers with the EVD coming in through the ports is very low, allaying fears that likely carriers of the deadly virus could slip through the ports into the country.
Earlier, the US Consular General had assured that the American Government is ready to collaborate with Nigeria to fight the scourge, he specifically disclosed that US is ready to work with the NPA in the area of techniques of handling and controlling any suspected case of EVD.
Mr Hawkins stated that the Nigerian ports, being the life blood of the Nigerian economy and the key element in Nigeria’s inflow and out flow of business concerns, needs to consolidate on its efforts in the prevention and control of the scourge.
Additionally, the US Consul General added that these efforts would translate into a much safer ports in Nigeria, suggesting a strict protocol of getting sick people into isolation while health officials check on them and every other person they make contact with.
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