Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has concluded the first phase of its Covid-19 sensitisation for the maritime community.
Head, Public Relations, NSC, Mrs Rakiya Zubairu, said this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.
According to her, the 3-day programme, which started on May 13, kicked off at the headquarters of the council with the Executive Secretary, Mr Hassan Bello, presenting hand gloves, sanitisers and masks to the leaders of seven trucking associations.
Zubairu said that he was joined by the Council’s Directors of Regulatory Services and Consumer Affairs, Ms Ifeoma Ezedinma and Chief Cajetan Agu respectively.
“The sensitisation programme moved to the terminals and shipping companies where the NCDC hygienist, Moji Ayorinde under the direction of Dr Everistus Aniaku, head of Emergency Operations and National Response Team on COVID-19 in Lagos State, gave talks on how to protect oneself from contracting COVID-19.
“She demonstrated the correct method to wear a mask, hand washing, hand sanitisation and physical distancing among others.
“The attentive audiences at the various locations engaged the NCDC team with questions as well as seeking clarifications.
“Over 100 stakeholders attended this first phase of the programme. Participants were made up of freight forwarders and staff of the shipping companies and terminals.
“Participants are expected to cascade the lessons as the dictates of physical distancing could not allow for all stakeholders within the different terminals and shipping companies to attend the sessions.
“Participants received masks and sanitisers courtesy of Nigerian Shippers’ Council,” she said.
Bello, at the occasion, said NSC considered it part of its responsibility to ensure the safety of truckers as they are silent facilitators of Nigeria’s economy.
He commended them for their cooperation in acceding to NSC’s request to reduce their fees during the period of the lockdown.
Bello reminded them that they are primarily responsible for their own well-being and urged them to do everything to stay safe as their families and the nation needed them.
Responding on behalf of the trucking associations, Mr Stephen Okafor, Coordinator of Committee of Maritime Truck Unions and Associations, COMTUA, commended Bello, describing him as a partner in progress.
Okafor assured him of their cooperation in resetting Nigeria’s post-COVID-19 economy. (NAN)
