Coronavirus: NIMASA assures alertness, backs FG’s efforts

Abiola Seun

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has stated that the agency is on alert to help the country combat the deadly Coronavirus, popularly referred to as COVID-19.

In a statement made available to our correspondent, Peterside stated that as the agency that regulates the maritime sector, comes in regular contact with foreigners who call at Nigerian ports.

He pointed out that NIMASA was in full support of all efforts by the Federal Government to arrest the spread of the disease, in addition to stopping any other carrier of the virus from entering the country.

He said: “As an agency that comes in contact with foreigners regularly, we are adopting all health protocols of the Federal Government and World Health Organisation (WHO), as regard COVID-19. We are also collaborating with all sister agencies to ensure our country remains safe.

“Our staff have been properly informed on what to do, what to watch out for and means of reaching the Federal Ministry of Health or the National Centre for Disease Control, in case of any index.

“Under President Muhammadu Buhari’s watch, our ports across Nigeria have witnessed improved cabotage, hence the reason for being on alert in all locations.”

The NIMASA chief, who is also the Chairman of African Maritime Administrations, said he had been in touch with his colleagues across Africa, comparing notes and sharing experiences.

Peterside said: “My colleagues and I across the continent are in regular touch to compare notes and learn from one another. What affects one, affects the other. We must all come together and make sure COVID-19 does not cause havoc in Africa.