Port Health: Group condemns government agencies for non-compliance

Chinazor Megbolu

An indigenous and foremost maritime group, Sea Empowerment and Research Centre Limited has frowned at non-compliance of health measures by the Government agencies and terminal operators operating at the nation’s ports to freight forwarders during the lockdown period.

In a research tagged: Re: Freight Forwarders as Essential Services in the Maritime Industry by the group and made available on Monday, its Director General, Mr. Francis Uchechukwu Aniezechukwu noted that findings from Tuesday March 31, to Friday April 3, 2020, the health preventive measure provided by Government agencies to the general public was nothing to write home about as it should over Covid-19 pandemic.

He explained that a case study of four major ports in Lagos State, showed that sanitizers, face masks and other preventive measures weren’t given to freight forwarders who had business to do at the ports.

Aniezechukwu also listed that Apapa Port Complex Port, Tincan Island Complex Port, Ports and Terminal Multi Services Limited, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Port only provided preventive health measures to their staff alone and not freight forwarders.

“These government agencies and terminal operators provided sanitizers and face mask in their offices but not to the general public operating in the ports,” Aniezechukwu said.

On social distancing, he pointed out that custom offices inside Apapa Port Complex, Tincan Island Complex Port, Ports and Terminal Multi Services and Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Port recorded 60, 80, 92 and 59 percentages respectively.

He added that inside terminal offices of same, aforementioned ports also recorded 70, 70, 73 and 60 percentages accordingly.

Aniezechukwu further buttressed that custom offices across the windows, outside and inside inspection terminals as well as outside terminal windows scored 0 percent respectively on social distancing.

On designated bus stops for port users during the lockdown period, he maintained that all the buses provided by the Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC) were always available.

While quoting the Secretary General, International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Kitack Lim on what is obtainable during this Covid-19 pandemic period said: “In these difficult times, the ability for shipping services and seafarers to deliver vital goods, including medical supplies and foodstuffs, will be central to responding to, and eventually overcoming, this pandemic.

“It is, therefore, crucially important that the flow of commerce by sea should not be unnecessarily disrupted. At the same time, the safety of life at sea and protection of the marine environment must also remain paramount”.

Aniezechukwu, however, stated that one of the goals of IMO, as stated in its Convention, is to ensure availability of shipping services to the commerce of the world, for the benefit of humanity.

According to him; “I urge all IMO Member States to bear this in mind when framing their policy decisions with regard to the corona virus. Defeating the virus must be the first priority, but global trade, in a safe, secure and environmentally friendly manner must be able to continue too”.

Quoting the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, he said: “All sea ports in Lagos shall remain operational in accordance with the guidelines I issued earlier. Vehicles and drivers conveying essential cargos from these ports to other parts of the country will be screened thoroughly before departure by the Port Health Authority.

Aniezechukwu also posited that President Buhari statement on “all sea ports in Lagos shall remain operational” illustrates the commercial importance of the freight forwarders as an indispensable member of the international trade globally.

He hinted further that International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA) had also described freight forwarders as the “architect of transport” harping on IMO insistence that “shipping services and seafarers to deliver vital goods, including medical supplies and foodstuffs, will be central to be responded to towards overcoming the pandemic.

To drive home his point, he averred that IMO Circular Letter No.4204/Add.6 Annex, page 3: which stated on measures to ensure health protection in the ports, disclosed that governments and relevant national authorities are recommended in paragraph 6 to: “Ensure those working in ports and having access to ships are provided with appropriate personal protection equipment (which could include masks, hand sanitisers and other means of preventing the spread of the virus) prior to contact with seafarers”.

On the aim of the research, Aniezechukwu who is also legal consultant explained it was to reiterate the importance of the provision of appropriate personal protection equipment to freight forwarders as providers of essential services in the ports.

“It is to draw the attention of the maritime regulating agencies, Ministry of Transportation, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Shipper’s council (NSC) and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarders (CRFFN) to the safety and operational loopholes that may hinder the free flow of goods and services during this crucial period in Nigeria maritime sector,” he said.

Editing by ‘Biodun Soyele