By Olubunmi ISOKPEHI, Lagos
In line with International Maritime Conventions, Treaties and Protocols, the Management of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has designated Seafarers and Dockworkers as essential workers who should be exempted from travel restrictions.
The exemptions are contained in a new guideline developed and published by the agency to support essential Services in Nigeria’s shipping sector.
Reacting, the head corporate communications, NIMASA, Mr. Phillip Kyanet, has said, ” The guideline stated that the jobs of dockworkers at the country’s seaports, terminals and jetties are essential to the national economy.”
Adding, ” Dockworkers should ,therefore, be granted passage between their places of abode and the seaports/terminals and jetties to perform their duties.”
The guideline reads in Part: ” The advice also declares that the seafarers are on essential duties and as such exempted from the curfew and travel restrictions , which may hinders necessary movement for crew change.”
Adding, ” It directs companies employing the services of seafarers to provide special and dedicated means of transportation to covey the seafarers; such transport system must be disinfected within the recommended minimum hours.”
It asserted, ” The guideline specifically provides for the mandatory use of face mask within all terminals and jetties , mandatory temperature check on all staff before access to terminals and denial of entry to persons who present temperature above 38 degree Celsius.”
In his remarks, the Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said, ” The latest advice was meant to contain the corona virus pandemic while also supporting the continuation of the economy.”
Jamoh added, ” Like President Muhammadu Buhari said, no economy can survive total lockdown.” Adding, ” If you look at its critically , maritime is an essential duty, with the major actors being seafarers and dockworkers and this is why we continually come up with guidelines to ease their operations so that activities in our ports will not suffer.”
The DG charged dockworkers and Seafarers over loitering around port premises as prohibited by law ,however, he called on dock labor employers to ensure social/ physical distancing of two meters is maintained between people in the workplace and other public spaces within and around port terminals.
