COVID 19: MARAN shuts Secretariat - urges govt agencies to provide safety kits for Maritime Journalists

As part of its contribution to the Federal Government’s effort in curtailing the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has announced that it is shutting down its International Maritime Press Centre Apapa, Lagos from Friday 27th, 2020 till further notice.

The association has also called on relevant government agencies in the maritime sector including, NIMASA, NPA, Shippers Council and Nigeria Customs Service to provide safety kits for press men who are still making sacrifice to visit the port on daily basis.

In a press statement issued by the MARAN Secretariat, the association noted that this would be the first time since its establishment in 1988, that MARAN would be compelled to shut down its secretariat.

The association however maintained that the safety of its members is the priority of the present executives.

MARAN however declared that members, as journalists will continue to go to the ports and report activities, in as much as the ports remain opened.

The statement said the secretariat will not be opened to members, or individual journalists who visit the press centre on daily basis.

It said that all Committees set up by the association executives are advised to continue to monitor interactions with Maritime industry stakeholders as regards upcoming events of the association.

“The President of MARAN, Mr. Anya Njoku has directed that the MARAN centre should be shut down in compliance with the social distancing instructions of the Federal and Lagos State Government”

“Meanwhile, maritime journalists shall continue to do their job as regards covering the industry and feeding Nigerians with fresh updates”

The MARAN president however reiterated that the nation’s ports have not been shut down.

“MARAN President has also charged the relevant government agencies in the maritime sector to provide journalists covering the industry with hand sanitizers, nose masks, hand gloves and other safety kits against the Coronavirus pandemic”

“Since MARAN was established in 1988, this is the first time it would be compelled to shut down its secretariat” Mr Anya declared.

Editing by ‘Biodun Soyele