COVID-19 Prevention: Nsirim Calls For Improved Synergy With IOCs

Towards achieving a successful sensitisation campaign for the prevention of the Coronavirus in Rivers State, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, has called for improved synergy between the government and International Oil Companies (IOCs) in the state.
Making the call, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, at a sensitisation meeting with representatives of IOCs in the state, the commissioner noted that while the IOCs are aware of the threat if the COVID-19, the meeting is essential for the sake of bridging identifiable gaps in efforts they already making to prevent infection of their staff.
“We know you know about Coronavirus, but this is government’s way of ensuring that we bridge the gap. Everybody knows what government is doing. A lot of people have been asking questions that bothers on policy direction, what would government be doing. This kind of interaction affords us opportunity to pass information on, when we have it.
“This is merely to bridge the gap and ensure that everyone is on board, and to get feedback from you, as well as find out what you think government can do to further strengthen what we have on ground”, he said.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof Princewill Chike, emphasised on the need for the synergy.
Chike, who was represented by the Epidemiologist in the state Ministry of Health, Dr Ifeoma Nwadiuto, said “ what I want to pass across to you, as partners, is for you to work closely with us in this fight. Let us know what you’ll assist us to do to ensure that we contain this pandemic”, she said.
She urged them to report as quick as possible any suspected case in their facilities, knowing that “you’re also on top of the matter in your various facilities”.
On their part, the representatives of the IOCs assured on their willingness to partner with the state government, saying that they have already taken some steps to prevent their staff from contacting the virus.
Part of such steps is to institute a means whereby members of staff can work from their homes in order to avoid bringing people together.
In addition, they share information on the virus amongst themselves, with the state Ministry of Health, and also train their health care workers on various preventive measures.
According to the Country Occupational Health Manager for Total E & P Nigeria Ltd, Dr Jide Obosi, among other areas of synergy with the government, “we have also tried to find out from the Public Health Unit and the Honourable Commissioner for Health areas that we can support (the government) and be of help to the state.
“As part of our corporate social responsibility, we’re willing to support the government to make sure that we all win the battle against COVID-19″, he said.
On his part, Dr Okuns Ohiosimuan of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), noted that the emphasis is on prevention, knowing that Nigeria is not as sophisticated as the advanced countries to manage the virus should there be an outbreak.
Also, speaking to the members of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the commissioner called on them to take the message to their grassroots, knowing that they are closest to the people.