By Uzor Odigbo
The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has called on the management of Nigerian Ports Authority and terminal operators to put necessary measures in place to mitigate Covid-19 pandemic making incursion in the world.
President General of MWUN, Prince Adewale Adeyanju called on the ministries of health as well as terminal operators to provide necessary kits for workers and stakeholders entering their terminals to avoid infiltration of the virus into the terminals
Cases of Covid-19 is increasing on daily basis in Nigeria, hence the need to brace up against the virus to avoid its spread.
In line with this, Adeyanju said more efforts should be put in place to curtail its incursion into the port because according to him, it will halt the economic activities of the country since the port is the major route of international trade in Nigeria
“From what we are hearing about the second wave of Covid-19,we want to reemphasize that the authorities concerned, that is the Ministry of Health should alert all terminal operators by way of putting on thier guards to do what they did in the first instance
“The terminal operators should put in more efforts this time to provide necessary kits for all workers and stakeholders working in their various terminals.
“We must not sleep over this matter because if it affects any worker, we know what will happen in the entire terminal to workers and stakeholders in the port.
“I want to appeal to Nigerian Ports Authority that before any vessel will come to the port, it should be quarantined.
As for efforts to cushion the effect in members, especially seafarers on board vessels, he said the union would be in constant touch with International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) to extend help to the union where necessary.
“We are so concerned about our seafarers because they are the most affected people. We don’t want them to be affected.
“We will keep in touch with International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) to see where they can be of help if need be as things unfold,” he maintained
