APMT leads shipping industry support against COVID-19 with over N300m
Samson Echenim is business a.m. correspondent providing coverage for maritime, aviation, travels and hospitality. A former business correspondent at the Punch and Leadership newspapers, he has a vast experience in business reporting. Samson can be reached on samhapp2000@yahoo.com and +2348037363024
Nigeria’s leading terminal operators, APM Terminals Apapa is collaborating with its sister company, West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) Onne to provide over N300 million to support the country’s fight against the novel coronavirus.
The amount is the biggest from any shipping and maritime industry player, both public and private, government maritime agencies committed to the fight against the spread of the pandemic.
As at Wednesday, 10 persons have been killed by COVID-19 which the NCDC said had infected 343 people.
APM Terminals Apapa has contributed N150million into the Federal Government’s COVID-19 Relief Fund Account created by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) while WACT has contributed N50 million into the same account.
In addition to these, APM Terminals Apapa has donated 1,000 units of nose masks; 500 disposable protective coveralls; 400 litres of hand sanitizers; protective goggles and hand gloves to the Lagos Port Complex of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) towards curtailing the pandemic.
The donation into the COVID-19 Relief Fund Account and the donation of safety items are coming barely two weeks after the company donated $200,000 (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 sensitize the Apapa community on how to curb the spread of the pandemic.
Speaking on the donations, Martin Jacob, managing director of APM Terminals Apapa, said, “This is one battle we must join hands together to fight, and with the strong leadership being provided by the Federal Government, Nigeria will overcome this difficult times.”
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 to prevent it”.
“The only option available to us all at this trying 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 Funmilayo Olotu, port manager of Lagos Port Complex Apapa, 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 Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to maintain continuity in port operation.
“In line with the directive, 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.
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.