Covid-19: Expert Harps on Harmful Effect on Port Economy

Chinazor Megbolu

The Co-founder, Sea Empowerment Research Centre, Mr. Francis Uchechukwu Aniezechukwu has harped on the harmful effect of Covid-19 otherwise known as Coronavirus to the nation’s port economy.

During a chat in Lagos, he said the disease is an ill wind that blows no good to any economy.

“It is an ill wind that blows no strata of the world economy any good. China housing 7 of the world busiest ports and the hot bed of the virus makes it a volatile case for the maritime industry,” he said.

Aniezechukwu, who is also a Lawyer, explained that United States of America (USA) has mapped out 25 per cent from seaborne inputs due to the plague.

According to him; “already the US has projected a 25 per cent drop from seaborne inputs from China.

He further noted that AP Moller-Maersk as the world biggest containerised operator has cancelled more than 50 sailings from china to the rest of the world this year, which is not palatable for global trade.

“Other maritime nations like USA Australia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia have come up with their preventive measures and Nigeria must come up strongly,” he advised.

He pointed out that Sea Empowerment Research Centre recommended that Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Nigeria port health should take a clue from the recommendations of the international chambers of Shipping, which outlined 14 days quarantine period for vessels arriving or transiting China.

“But in considering the stride with which the virus is spreading to other nations we insist that this 14 days quarantine period must include vessel coming or have transited in nations where this virus have been identified, “Aniezechukwu said.

He maintained, that the outbreak would also affect revenue generation not only in Nigeria but the world over.

“Obviously the outbreak of corona virus will affect revenue in a global economy.

“Resilience 360, the world monitors of risk and disruptive across supply chain had warned that measures aimed at curtailing the spread of the virus have and will contribute to logistics bottlenecks, “Aniezechukwu said.