The management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), says it has put in place all necessary measures across the nation’s ports against the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus disease.
This was contained in a statement by the Managing Director of NPA, Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usman, last Saturday, shortly after a book presentation in Lagos.
Bala Usman said, “once a vessel carrying yellow flag is sighted by the harbour master, Port health will be immediately notified”.
The yellow flag (contagion) is historically displayed on ships to indicate the presence of disease or quarantine.
“Once Port health is notified, the vessel will be taken to a separate location where there will be immediate health assessment before anyone or cargo will be allowed to disembark,” she said.
Usman also said that visitors and staff of the Authority would be checked at the gate of the NPA office complex to ensure they were free from any form of illness.
She said NPA was very conscious of the virus and had been engaging in several interactions with the Federal Ministry of Health, adding that the Authority would continue to monitor and enlighten people on the need to guard against the dreaded disease.
“NPA is very mindful of its responsibility as the gateway to the nation’s economy and will do everything possible to protect the economy”, Usman said.