The West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) has donated personal protective equipment (PPEs) including surgical nose masks, latex gloves and hand sanitizers to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Onne Port, Rivers State to support efforts at containing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) at the port.
The company also donated similar items to its host communities of Onne and Ogu towns in Rivers State.
Aamir Mirza, managing director of WACT, who commended NPA for keeping the nation’s gateway operational in the face of the global health crisis, said the donation was necessary to support efforts at stopping the spread of the virus.
Stating that the virus has created the worst public health crisis of our generation, Mirza said prevention remains the best option available in the absence of vaccine and treatment for COVID-19 infections.
“The best way to prevent and slow down transmission of COVID-19 is to be well informed about the virus, its symptoms and how it spreads. It is in realisation of this that we carried out a lot of awareness and enlightenment campaign around the port community to educate our staff, port users including agents and truckers on the need to stay safe and adhere to the guidelines issued by relevant government agencies,” he said.
According to him, the donation was also in line with the effort aimed at enhancing preventive measures at the port.
“We all have the responsibility of protecting ourselves and others from the infection by maintaining social distance, regularly washing of hands and avoid touching our face,” Mirza, who was represented by WACT’s Chief Financial Officer, Lewis Sarpong, said while presenting the items to Ismaila Al-Hassan, Port Manager of Onne Port.
Mirza said that in addition to the items donated to NPA, Customs and the host communities, WACT has contributed N50 million into the Federal Government’s COVID-19 Relief Fund Account through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Ismaila Al-Hassan, Onne Port Manager, who received the items on behalf of NPA, said COVID-19 has created severe challenges for the Nigerian economy, stating that the sooner the pandemic is over, the better for the people and the economy.
“A donation like this to assist the workers and the communities around the port is a welcome development,” he said.
Each donation made to NPA, Customs and the host communities includes 1,100 surgical nose masks; 50 packs of latex gloves and 60 bottles of hand sanitizer.
AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE
