Following moves by the Federal Ministry of Health to control the spread of the dreaded Ebola virus disease in the country, the Rivers Port Manager, Mrs. Carolyn Akum Ufere has tasked officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service staff at the Port to temporarily stop granting Shore Pass to vessel crewmen who arrive at the port.
This advice was given recently by Port Manager at an Ebola virus sensitization programme which held at the port’s training centre.
Following moves by the Federal Ministry of Health to control the spread of the dreaded Ebola virus disease in the country, the Rivers Port Manager, Mrs. Carolyn Akum Ufere has tasked officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service staff at the Port to temporarily stop granting Shore Pass to vessel crewmen who arrive at the port.
This advice was given recently by Port Manager at an Ebola virus sensitization programme which held at the port’s training centre.
The Port Manager said that Rivers port is a sensitive entry point into Nigeria, even as she noted that there is an urgent need for them to step up action to help in controlling possible spread of the Ebola virus to the country through the port.
“I think it is important to urge all the port stakeholders to double their effort in carrying out the fight against the deadly virus, which has no known cure for now” Mrs. Ufere said.
She said that it has become very necessary for the Port Health Unit and immigration officials to stop granting all forms of shore passes, especially to crewmen on board of vessels.
“It is my belief that this directive if adhered to will go a long way in preventing members of the Nigeria society from contracting the virus from affected visitors in the country” the Port Manager stated.
She also urged the port security officers and the port Police to be on red alert, be careful and be watchful. She urged that they should help to put their men on strategic locations to checkmate the influx of persons into the port, especially those that have no business being at the port.
In her comments during the stakeholders’ interactive meeting, a medical personnel; Dr Margret Uzoamaka Osakwe who midwife it however advised that suspected cases of Ebola should be reported to the appropriate quarters.
Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, the Port Manager added that the purpose of the meeting was to brainstorm and bring to the fore preventive measures to address further spread of the virus.
She said the Rivers Port management has provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) disinfectant, hand gloves, sanitizers and soap for medical staff and other departments to help checkmate the spread of the virus.
Organizations and agencies that attended the stakeholders meeting include: NIMASA, private terminal operators, Immigration, Customs, Police, shipping agents, and others.
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