The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), in its bid to ensure compliance with the health and safety guidelines by port users and other stakeholders amidst the Covid-19 crisis, has assigned officials to terminal operators and shipping companies. The NSC said that the measure will guarantee the continuation of safe port operations for essential services, as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The NSC had earlier complained of operators and shipping companies not providing a work environment that supports social distancing as well as other precautionary measures, such as the adequate provision of hand sanitisers and handwashing equipment. A press release signed by the NSC management said, ‘The Council has assigned its officers to various shipping companies and terminals to ensure all safety and health regulations issued by the authorities were being adhered to during these times’.

‘NSC cannot overemphasise the importance of all port users, particularly freight forwarders, conducting themselves responsibly and adhering to health guidelines as they go about their very essential businesses’, the NSC press release continued. In a related development, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustafa, recently confirmed the operations of some banks in the area around Nigeria’s principal port, as one of the measures agreed on by government and the private sector to facilitate port operations during the Covid-19 crisis.

Source: Vanguard

Photo source: UNCTAD