Urge Truckers and Terminal Operators to Take Responsibility For their Safety

Hassan Bello, ES/CEO Nigerian Shippers’ Council

In continuation of its regulatory role and in a bid to keep Nigerian Ports Safe and free from Covid19 infections/transmissions, the Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC, has continued to stress and emphasize the need to for port workers and service providers to stay safe and keep port operations unhindered.

From facilitating reduction of trucking charges to provision of safety kits to truckers and terminal operators, the NSC’s helmsman, Mr. Hassan Bello said the Council considers it part of it operational responsibility and national duty to ensure the safety of truckers as they are silent facilitators of Nigeria’s economy.

The Council’s CEO therefore commended them for their cooperation in acceding to NSC’s request to reduce their fees during the period of the lockdown.

Hassan Bello presenting safety kits at a Terminal

While reminding then reminding them that they are fully responsible for their safety and well-being, Bello urged them to do everything to stay safe as their families and the nation will always need them.

Comrade Stephen Okafor, Coordinator of Committee of Maritime Truck Unions and Associations, COMTUA, commended the ES, describing him as a partner in progress. He assured him of their cooperation in resetting Nigeria’s post-COVID-19 economy.

A cross section of participants

From interactions with truckers to terminal 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 sanitization and physical distancing and other safety tips.

With clarifications made on the many questions which participants threw up and safety kits distributed by the Council, they are expected to cascade the lessons as the dictates of physical distancing could not allow all stakeholders within the different terminals and shipping companies to attend the sessions.

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 sanitizers courtesy of Nigerian Shippers’ Council.

Stakeholders are hopeful that the sensitization and enlightenment efforts by management of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council would enhance port operations and improve safety as port operations must go on under the Covid19 Pandemic.