Case of COVID-19 At Seaport: ANLCA President Calls for Calm as Agents Threaten To Shut Down Affected Terminal 

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By DAPO OLAWUNI
Even as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced the first case of Coronavirus pandemic at Nigerian ports, the National President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Tony Iju Nwabunike has called on all his members to go about their businesses at the port without any fears.
Customs agents who spoke with DAILY TREND at the weekend had expressed apprehension about going back to work at the port due to the discovered case of COVID-19. They threatened to shut down the affected terminal by Monday.
But in a message to all ANLCA members, Nwabunike assured that the affected terminal has been fumigated while while all contacts with the confirmed case are in isolation.
Nwabunike said he has been in constant touch with the NPA and the Nigerian Shippers Council and that both government agencies had given assurances that all safety protocols are being adhered to.
Nwabunike said “I have, today, gotten in touch with the Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigerian Shippers Council, who both gave assurances of concrete measures being taken to prevent spread while all contacts with the confirmed case are in isolation”
“I was reliably informed that the terminal facility where he works has been fumigated and closed to business as a way of preventing spread”
“I shall personally monitor to see that the World Health Organization and Nigeria Center for Disease Control standards in managing and preventing Covid19 spread are adhered to in the interest of our members and other port users”
“As I have emphasised since the beginning of this pandemic, only persons who have jobs to do in this critical period should come to ports. The ports are open but not open as usual for crowds”
“Weather at work or home, at play or observing other forms of leisure, please maintain the highest standards of hygiene by regular hand washing with soap and water;usage of hand sanitisers; maintaining physical distancing and staying at home if nothing essential requires you going out” he said
Recall that an employee of a terminal operator at Tincan Island Port has been confirmed to have contracted Covid19 while on visit to his family members.
The affected staff reported applied self isolation before testing and results proved him positive and has never come to work since he noticed.

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