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COVID-19: NPA To Create Isolation Centres At Seaports

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6 years ago

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Following the spread of the deadly Coronavirus otherwise known as Covid-19 in the country, the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it would set up isolation centres for vessel crew who are sick or show symptoms of the virus.
This is as NPA said vessels coming from Asia have also been placed on red alert.
It said the authority was fully prepared to help the country combat the spread of the virus.
NPA disclosed this in a statement by its General Manager, Medical Services, Christy Akpa, during a stakeholders’ sensitisation programme organised by NPA in Lagos.
“I want to assure the whole nation that NPA is well prepared to handle any incident of suspected case on board any vessel that shows symptoms of coronavirus. We have already heightened our alert on ships that are coming from Iran, Taiwan, China or other countries that have been affected by this virus.
“We are making arrangement for isolation centres to hold the people that are sick while we bring in the state government that will isolate all and take them to the isolation centres with dedicated ambulances.
“When these ships berth, we don’t just leave them, we continue to monitor. It behoves on us that until the ship sail out of our territorial waters, it is mandatory that we continue to monitor to ensure that we fight this virus,” she said.
Akpa added that NPA was working and collaborating with Port Health Service officials to ensure that all the crew on board are made to fill the passengers’ declaration form to ascertain their health status.
“We are highly collaborating with the Port Health Services of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Government through the Commissioner for Health”, she said.
Also speaking, General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications of NPA, Engr. Adams Jatto, reiterated NPA’s determination to combat the spread of the disease.
Jatto noted that the collaboration between NPA and port terminal operators would help forestall the spread of the virus at the nation’s gateways.
”We are aware that the virus is spreading round the world in a very rapid form and of course, there is need for us to curtail it. We have been informed that there is no cure for this disease and the best thing for us to do is to have a precautionary preventive measure for us to ensure that it does not spread.
“We know the port is one of the entry points into the country. That is why we deem it fit for us to discuss what we have done and what is expected of the terminal operators for them to be able to curtail this menace.
“We have had collaborative efforts with the operators for us to fight this disease and we have seen what they have done in terms of the necessary medical materials in place in each of the terminals.
“We have been told they have sanitisers as preventive measure for dockworkers who access the vessels and there are things they said we should do, which I believe the management will be able to take care of as regards the isolation centre”, he said.

 

Chinedu Wosu

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Maritime

MWUN Raises Alarm Over Port Security Lapses In Lagos

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2 weeks ago

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March 30, 2026

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The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has raised alarm over poor policing of Lagos Port waterfronts
The President General MWUN Francis Bunu said this when
members of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) visited the union’s headquarters ahead of the 2026 Dockworkers’ Day.
He described attacks on vessels at berth as unacceptable in a regulated port environment, stressing that such incidents undermined confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
According to him, marine police are mandated to secure berthed vessels through effective patrols and surveillance across port waterfronts.
“Why will a vessel berth and people come across the water in numbers to attack it?.
“These vessels are foreign-owned. How do they want Nigeria to be viewed in the international community?” Bunu said
The President said such breaches revealed lapses in coordination among security agencies, warning that, “urgent action was needed to restore confidence.
“Somebody is certainly not doing their job. We cannot have these attacks without decisive intervention from responsible agencies,”
Bunu reacted to a recent breach at Eko Support Terminal, where unidentified assailants reportedly attacked a berthed vessel last week.
He said the incident heightened concerns among ship operators and port users about safety within Nigerian ports.
The MWUN President  warned that repeated attacks at berths could discourage international shipping lines and worsen Nigeria’s maritime risk profile.
He called for stronger security presence around port berths and waterfronts, stressing that such insecurity raises broader concerns about territorial waters.
Bunu urged security agencies and port authorities to review surveillance and patrol systems to prevent further attacks and reassure global operators.
Earlier, President of SCAN,Mr Moses Ebosele, commended Bunu for protecting workers’ interests and supporting industry growth.
Ebosele said the visit was part of preparations for the 2026 Dockworkers’ Day celebration organised by the association.
He appealed for support from maritime workers to ensure the success of the event.
Ebosele said this year’s celebration would emphasise environmentally friendly practices and modern technologies in Nigerian seaports.
According to him, the theme, ‘Green Ports: Sustainable Practices for Dockworkers,’ will guide discussions among key maritime stakeholders.
He added, the initiative aimed to improve environmental performance while sustaining economic viability and maritime trade.
Ebosele said participants would also explore dockworkers’ contributions to the economy and strategies for strengthening their role in a green economy.
By: CHINEDU WOSU
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Nigerian Navy Plans CMTF To Safeguard GOG

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2 weeks ago

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March 30, 2026

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The Nigerian Navy has stepped up efforts to strengthen regional maritime security with plans to establish a Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF), positioning it as a multinational initiative to safeguard the Gulf of Guinea GOG
Navy said the collaboration would enhance global shipping safety.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said this in a statement signed by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information and made available  to Newsmen
 Vice Admiral Idi Abbas who received the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Jen Ole Bach Hansen, at Naval Headquarters, Abuja, reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership role in driving a coordinated multinational maritime security framework in the Gulf of Guinea, a critical corridor for international trade.
Abbas stressed the region remains vital to global shipping, noting that countries like Denmark depend significantly on its sea lanes for commerce.
Vice Admiral Abbas disclosed that the proposed CMTF, expected to commence operations by mid-2026, would bring together “like-minded nations” to improve maritime domain awareness, boost joint response capabilities, and consolidate recent gains against piracy and other maritime threats in the region.
He called for robust Danish support in both the operationalisation and long-term sustainability of the initiative, describing such collaboration as crucial to maintaining security and stability within the Gulf of Guinea.
The Naval chief also extended an invitation to the Danish Navy to participate in the Nigerian Navy’s forthcoming International Fleet Review, a move aimed at strengthening interoperability and deepening naval cooperation between both countries.
Earlier Ambassador Hansen reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to expanding its defence and maritime partnership with Nigeria under its Africa Strategy.
He noted that bilateral relations between both countries, particularly in maritime security, have witnessed significant progress since 2024.
The envoy acknowledged Nigeria’s strides in improving maritime security and expressed Denmark’s readiness to deepen collaboration in pursuit of shared security objectives in the Gulf of Guinea.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to sustained strategic cooperation, with a shared goal of ensuring a secure and stable maritime environment that supports regional and global economic activities.#
By: CHINEDU WOSU
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Maritime

NNS Hands Over Two Suspected Stowaways to Immigration Service

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2 weeks ago

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March 30, 2026

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The Nigerian Navy, through the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, has handed over two suspected stowaways rescued from a merchant vessel, MV Seaspan Lahore, to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
The suspects were formally transferred to DSI Eneji Emmanuel Ochokpa of the Lagos Ports/Marine Command in Apapa, Lagos.
According to Naval Authorities, the individuals were discovered in the early hours of Thursday, March 19, 2026, concealed within the rudder compartment of the vessel during routine security checks by NNS BEECROFT personnel.
The ship was reportedly navigating near the Lagos Fairway Buoy at the time of the discovery.
The Navy said the suspects were safely extracted and taken to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigations.
They were identified as Abdullahi Yakubu, 36, described as a repeated offender, and Omoniyi Afotona, 25.
Both suspects were believed to have gained unauthorized access to the vessel at Apapa Port before its departure.
A stowaway is defined as an individual who secretly boards a vessel or aircraft to travel illegally without authorization, often exposing themselves to grave danger.
The Navy used the incident to caution against irregular migration, urging parents, guardians, and community leaders to educate young people on the risks and legal implications of attempting to travel abroad by hiding on ships.
It  also advised Nigerians seeking opportunities overseas to pursue lawful migration channels.
Reaffirming its commitment, NNS BEECROFT stated that it will continue to align with the strategic directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, to maintain a professional and responsive naval force capable of protecting Nigeria’s maritime domain and supporting national security objectives.##
By: CHINEDU WOSU
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