Harboursandports-Lagos.com:The Nigeria Customs Services, Tin Can Island Command has taken a step to sensitize Custom Officers and other Maritime Stakeholders
on preventive measures of the Corona Virus outbreak in the world today.
Drastic measures have been taken by the Comptroller
Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Custom Service to insulate Customs
Officers and other stakeholders from the ravaging Coronavirus outbreak. As part
of effort to check the spread of to Nigeria through our sea ports, Comptroller
Tin Can Island Port Command Uba Musa and Deputy Comptroller in charge of
Enforcement Unit Nnedi has sanitize Custom Officers and other Maritime Stakeholders
on the need to take precautionary measures to ensure the disease does not creep
into Nigeria through her waterways.
Speaking on the issue, Uba Musa, Comptroller of the
Tin Can Island Port has said that large number of cargos that are coming into
the country are from China and this is where the outbreak started from and
since there are no activities in China it will definitely affect the volume of
cargos coming into Nigeria. This is also going to have a huge impact on the
revenue of the country.
Throwing more light on it Nnedi said that the total
number of deaths recorded now is 2687 deaths and it’s still counting, therefore
the need to sensitize Custom Officers and Maritime Stakeholders on the dangers
of the Corona Virus because the Tin Can Island is a very peculiar environment.
“Large volume of our cargos comes from China and the
Corona Virus happen to be emanating from China so definitely since there are no
activities in China it will definitely affect the volume of cargos. You know it
is not instant it is going to be a gradual thing; shipment from China takes one
to two months to arrive so definitely we will have that issue. Yes it is just, definitely
there will be impact since we have 70 percent of our importation coming from
China definitely it is going to impact on our revenue, the volume of cargo will
be reduced and then the implication is the revenues will also be affected”.
“Today is to sensitize the custom officers and other
stakeholders in the port, about the dangers posed by corona virus. Globally it
is ravaging over 2687 deaths so far and still counting, it is not yet in
Nigeria but what we are saying is that we don’t have to wait for it to be here
before we take precaution. Several people have created awareness about it. However
the sea port particularly Tin Can area is a peculiar environment”.
The Comptroller and the Deputy Comptroller also
charged other regulatory bodies at other entry points in the country to take a
queue at what the Tin Can Island Port command of the Nigeria custom service has
done while advising maritime stakeholders to be on their toes and approach
vessels with utmost caution.
Uba said“We have done sensitization for port users,
that is custom officers, agents, importers and people who work in the custom environment.
We sensitize people on the effect of corona virus, that is handling of cargo
even personal hygiene and personal contact and issues that may lead to crisis
so at least the medical team have educated port users on how to prevent contact
with people and if you suspect contact you have to rush to the hospital”.
“It is expected that all commands will do this. Am aware
that at the airport the Federal Ministry of Health is already championing this
through the Port Health. Even here in the port our colleague NPA has produced
banners and posters that have been placed everywhere. Our colleagues in Port Health
too are talking to people. It should be adequately replicated across all frontiers,
across the international airports, the border stations never mind that the
borders are closed for now” he concluded.
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