NIMASA hands over three ventilators, fast intervention vessels to fight coronavirus in Lagos

Abiola Seun |

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Monday handed over relief items to the Lagos State government to help in the fight against coronavirus.

The Director General, Dr Bashir Jamoh pointed out that from the N50 million donation, N20 million would go to the Lagos State, adding that N30 million went to Abuja because Federal Government had approved five stadia for them

Speaking at the handing over ceremony held in Lagos the DG said NIMASA is working hard both with the internal and external stakeholders to fashion out strategic effort that will be put in place to fight the coronavirus menace.

“We are here to flag off the distribution of some of the items and materials that will be used in this fight.

“We have ventilators and testing materials, ambulance, fire brigade machine to be used to spray chemicals to reduce the virus.

“The others are 36-sitter bus, 16-sitter bus, oxygen concentrator, personal protective equipment, hand sanitizers and also there will be handy volunteers to work with the government and experts that will use the fire engine machine,” he said.

Jamoh pointed out that as a regulatory agency NIMASA was very concerned about our coastal communities and they are taking their issues very serious.

He said that they are trying to look at those in the hinterland who constantly interact with NIMASA, as they are prone to getting this virus, adding that they through the waterways and with the fast intervention vessels would be able to get to them

“We decided to give these donations to all our landlords wherever we operate, the western zone which is Lagos, Eastern zone- port Harcourt, and central zone we have Warri and Calabar, adding that all the six geo-political zone will benefit from it.

“The zones are Maiduguri for North East Kaduna for North West, Kwara for North Central, Anambra for South east and also Abuja,” he said.

The NIMASA DG said that they were with the Lagos State in this time of need, also appreciating the dynamic leadership of the Lagos State government who was moving around himself to ensure that the citizens stay at home.

“The state governments donations in terms of food, giving information and update on the day to day basis on where the state was going is commendable.

“We want to also appreciate the National Centre for Disease Control for their effort in terms of sensitising of the public and so we feel that Nigerians owe it a duty by abiding by rules and guideline of staying at home,” he said.

Also, Mr Rabiu Olowo, Commissioner for Finance in his response said that the goodwill from NIMASA was most welcomed on behalf of the governor and the good people of Lagos State.

“As you are all aware Lagos State is the epic center of of this pandemic that everyone is fighting across the globe.

“We have seen the response of the state to this and the true leadership of Mr governor to fighting this.

“So this donation will go a long way in supporting and complementing the state effort towards fighting this Pandemic”.

Editing by ‘Biodun Soyele