NPA stops non-essential services for two weeks over COVID-19.

Following the continue spread of the deadly Coronavirus (Convid-19) in the country, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has ordered the shutdown of  it’s
offices across the country for two weeks.

The NPA shutdown is coming barely 24hours after the Nigerian Shippers’ Council announced the shutdown of offices to contain the spread, allowing only officers on essential service to resume to the office

In a memo with reference number HQ/CR/AD/G.2 from the office of the Managing Director and a copy exclusively obtained by our correspondent,, the Managing Director, Hadiza Bala-Usman said officers from non essential divisions and departments of the authority are advised to stay away from duty and work from home.

The essential divisions and departments to report for work according to the memo are the Managing director, Executive director, Finance and admin, medical  services, marine and operations among others.

The memo reads, “Following the current coronavirus pandemic (#COVIDー19), the under-listed non-essential divisions/departments are hereby directed to stay away from duty for fourteen (14) days effective from today (Monday).

The memo quoted the non essential divisions to include, “Corporate & Strategic Communications: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4‬; Audit Division: Staff from JSS3 — SSS1‬; Legal Services/Board: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4‬; Corporate & Strategic Planning: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4‬; Managing Director’s Office: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4‬ and Monitoring & Regulatory Services: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4‬.

Others are Servicom: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4‬; Public Private Partnership: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4‬; Abuja Liaison Office: Staff from JSS3 — SSS1‬; Human Resources: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4‬; Administration: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4‬; Engineering: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4‬ and Land & Assets Administration: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4‬.”

Also to work from home are Enterprise Risk Management: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4‬ and superannuation & Investment: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4.‬

However, officers on essential department to come to the office for their normal duties are Managing Director’s Division; Executive Director Finance & Admin; Procurement, ICT‬; Correspondences and mail room and departmental heads and assistants at port level.
Also on the list are medical services;  Finance ; Marine and Operations‬; Security; Health Safety & Environment‬; Facility Management ; Drivers assigned to Managing Director, Executive Directors, Medicals and Operational drivers. ‬

The managing director however advised all members of staff to adhere strictly to preventive measures to forestall further spread of the virus.

“Members of staff are advised to be conscious of their health and safety by adhering to the preventive measures put in place by the Medical Division of the Authority and other relevant government agencies. ‬‪Staffers are also enjoined to strictly comply with this directive,” the memo reads.