After paying an additional N200 million, APM Terminals Apapa and the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) Onne have jointly committed more than N300 million to the fight against the spread of the coronavirus disease also known as COVID-19 in Nigeria.
Recently, APM Terminals Apapa, Nigeria’s leading terminal operator, donated additional N150 million into the Federal Government’s COVID-19 Relief Fund Account created by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), while WACT paid N50 million into the same account.
APM Terminals Apapa also donated 1,000 units of nose masks; 500 disposable protective coveralls; 400 litres of hand sanitisers; protective goggles and hand gloves to the Lagos Port Complex of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) towards curtailing the pandemic.
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This new donation into the COVID-19 Relief Fund Account and the donation of safety items are coming barely two weeks after the company donated USD200,000 (over N75 million) into the United Nations in Nigeria Basket Fund for the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria, and committed another N25 million on community awareness through radio, social media as well as fliers to sensitise the Apapa community on how to curb the spread of the pandemic.
Martin Jacob, managing director of APM Terminals Apapa, described the fight against COVID-19 as one battle everybody must join hands to fight. “And with the strong leadership being provided by the Federal Government, Nigeria will overcome this difficult time.”
Jacob said the items donated by the company were aimed at preventing the spread of the virus at the port, since ‘there is currently no vaccine for it’.
“The only option available to us this time is prevention. The responsibility lies on all of us to protect ourselves and render all possible assistance within available resources. The basic precautionary measures to take such as not touching our eyes, nose, or mouth; regular washing of hands with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer; maintaining social distance and avoiding large gatherings must be respected by all, including at the port where we provide essential services,” Jacob said.
Daniel Odibe, general manager, External Relations of APM Terminals Apapa, who handed over the nose masks and other items to the Port Manager of Lagos Port Complex Apapa, Funmilayo Olotu, said all hands must be on deck to curtail the spread of the deadly virus.
“As a responsible corporate citizen of Nigeria, APM Terminals Apapa has complied with the directive of the Federal Government and the NPA to maintain continuity in port operation. Our terminal is in full operation. We have also adopted stringent safety measures in line with the guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Port Health Services to ensure that the supply chain remains uninterrupted and availability of essential supplies is maintained in the face of the pandemic,” he said.
Olotu, who received the items in company of other top NPA officials attached to the port, expressed appreciation to APM Terminals Apapa for the donation.
