By Uzor Odikpo
The Nigeria Shippers’ Council has entered into strategic partnership with the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), particularly in the nation’s maritime community.
The council in a statement by Rekiya Zubairu, the Head, Public Relations Unit on Wednesday, said that the gesture was necessary because truckers, being essential workers, were allowed to move across state lines as they deliver essential cargoes all around the country.
The Council added that the sensitization which begins May 13, 2020, will see the Council hand over hundreds of face masks and hand sanitizers to the leaders of the seven trucking associations.
“It may be recalled that NSC, through the Federal Ministry of Transportation, had made an intervention for this category of persons to be allowed free movement as they convey goods from the ports to the lengths and breaths of Nigeria and indeed beyond the borders of the country.
“Also, starting today, NSC will be making the rounds of terminals and shipping companies on a COVID-19 sensitization campaign.
“The NCDC has assigned one of its doctors to deliver a talk on COVID-19 at the various locations where freight forwarders and staff of these organisations will be present.
“The Port Health Services department of the Federal Ministry of Health will also be present at these sensitization events.
“Shippers’ Council, as the promoter of this sensitization campaign will give out face masks and sanitizers to all present at all the terminals and shipping companies,” it stated.