Agency NIMASA , Dr. Bashir Jamoh has announced that following the
current outbreak of COVID-19 and the need to mitigate the spread
especially through shipping activities, , the Agency has developed
Guidance to support all types of ships that operate in the Nigerian
maritime domain and banned all vessels without thermal screening
facilities from operating in Nigerian waters .
Dr. Jamoh stated that the purpose is to help shipping companies and all
maritime stakeholders to follow advice provided by United Nations
agencies including the World Health Organization (WHO), the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour
Organization (ILO), as well as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control
(NCDC).
According to him the outbreak has necessitated stringent measures that
can help curb the spread while not totally grounding the Nigerian
economy.
“These are trying times and we must pull through together that is why we
have directed that all maritime stakeholders develop risk assessments
and safety intervention guidelines for their personnel and operations on
the areas of vulnerabilities of their maritime operations that can be
affected by the COVID 19 pandemic including but not limited to offshore
operations such as crew/personnel changes, visits from onshore and other
locations for provision of supplies, maintenance and repairs etc” Jamoh
stated.
He also disclosed that the Agency would be coming up with the
publication that would elaborate on the guidance which also includes
schedule for ongoing offshore operations requiring new crew or crew
changes from affected countries to ensure that pre-departure tests for
COVID 19 are conducted on such persons, and self-isolation procedures
for the prescribed period are instituted for such new crew/personnel
before exposure to other personnel.
Dr. Jamoh also pointed out that only international marine vessel which
had planned and informed of their call into a Nigerian Port not later
than 1st February, 2020 may be allowed to call on such port adding that
any international marine vessel or any member of its crew or passenger
therein having a travel history of visiting any of the COVID-19 affected
countries since 1st Feb, 2020; shall not be permitted to enter any
Nigerian port from 30th March, 2020 till 12th of April, 2020. And any
further dates as may be reviewed from time to time.
Additionally, only international marine vessel having thermal screening
facilities for passenger and crew may be allowed on the ports and that
Shipping Agent/Master of Vessels must submit all documents related to
crew and passengers regarding their travel to or from the COVID-19
affected countries.
The NIMASA DG, also pointed out that it was important for all passengers
and crew members to fill the Self Reporting Form as prescribed by
Nigerian Port Health Authorities adding that Port Health Officers (PHO)
shall carry out thermal screening of all the passengers and crew members
on board ship and until clearance is given by the PHO no passengers and
or crew members would be allowed ashore.
It would be recalled that in the fight against the deadly COVID-19
NIMASA recently has donated 20 ventilators as well as 6 fast
intervention vessels to facilitate transport logistics support in the
maritime sector.
The Agency also donated 4 fully equipped brand new Ambulances, 4 Hilux
and four 36 sitter coaster buses to facilitate land based logistics in
the Federal capital Territory, Lagos, Delta, Rivers Cross Rivers and
Kaduna States along with cash donations to some of the states who have
reported cases of the pandemic.