COVID-19: NPA Staff Never Tested Positive

Chinazor Megbolu

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has debunked claims that a senior member of its workforce was diagnosed with COVID-19 infection.

The foremost maritime regulator disclosed this on Saturday in a statement by NPA Spokesman, Mr. Adams Jatto.

NPA explained that the infected port worker, who has now been quarantined, is a staff of one of the terminal operators at the ports and not that of NPA.

He noted that the agency hinted that the infected port worker and all those that interacted with him have been asked to self-isolate.

“A member of staff of one of the terminals at the ports, who has not been at the office since Friday, April 17, 2020, had visited his father-in-law and family during the weekend of Friday, April 17, 2020, and Sunday, April 19, 2020.

“On arrival, he discovered that his father-in-law, his own wife and children had taken ill.

“On Monday, April 20, they were all diagnosed with coronavirus as a result of which he decided to isolate himself and get tested. He wrote to the office to inform them about the situation and his decision to self-isolate.

“On Thursday, April 23, 2020, he again wrote to inform the company that he had tested positive to coronavirus and that the entire family was now receiving treatment at one of the isolation centres in Lagos.

“The company immediately (on the same Thursday, April 23, 2020) wrote to inform and seek advice from the Coordinator of Health Ports Services in line with guidelines laid down by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for the report of COVID-19 incidents.

“The company, in line with advice from Port Health Services, has disinfected the premises, while all personnel who interacted with the staff have been identified and asked to self-isolate.

“The Authority wishes to appeal to the media (not nigeriamaritime360.com), to verify information before going to press in order to avoid raising unnecessary tension,” the statement said.