COVID-19: NIMASA scales down operations - directs staff on non-essential duties to work from home

Chinazor Megbolu

The foremost maritime regulator, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Wednesday, told its staff to comply with the directive of the federal government towards curtailing the spread of the COVID-19.

The agency had directed all non-essential Public Servants on Grade Level 12 and below should stay and work from home as issued from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation.

In that order, all visits to NIMASA during the period are restricted to Tuesdays and Thursdays between 12noon and 2pm only, for visitors of Assistant Directors and above respectively.

The agency also said that those exempted from the days mentioned are, shipping companies, agents and other critical stakeholders who transact with operational departments and units of the Agency.

The Management of the agency headed by the Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh also ordered all Heads of Departments, Units and Zonal Coordinators to identify some essential staff who will be on duty in their locations on a rotational basis for the next couple of weeks. Jamoh said the instruction is not to totally halt the operations of the Agency until the situation improves.

He pointed out the media and others can reach the organisation on the various online platforms, such as; www.nimasa.gov.ng, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @nimasaofficial amongst others.

The management, however, advised members of staff that travelled to countries with high incidences of COVID-19 recently to self-isolate for 14 days and inform the NIMASA Search and Rescue Base (SRBC) Clinic for close monitoring.

Additionally, it also advised all staff and citizens to familiarise themselves with the much-publicised precautionary measures on COVID-19, like high level of hygiene, social distancing, avoiding large gatherings, frequent washing of hands and a host of others.

Editing by ‘Biodun Soyele