Nigeria’s leading terminal operator, APM Terminals Apapa, Lagos State, and its sister company, West Africa Container Terminal, Onne, Rivers State, have donated over N300m to support the country’s fight against the coronavirus disease.
The amount is the biggest from any shipping and maritime industry player, both public and private, committed to the fight against the spread of the pandemic.
As at Thursday evening, 13 persons have been killed by COVID-19, which the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said had infected 442 people.
APMT has contributed N150m into the Federal Government’s COVID-19 Relief Fund created by the Central Bank of Nigeria, while WACT contributed N50m into the same account.
In addition, APMTalso donated 1,000 nose masks, 500 disposable protective coveralls, 400litres of hand sanitisers, protective goggles and hand gloves to the Lagos Port Complex of the Nigerian Ports Authority towards curtailing the pandemic.
The donations were coming barely two weeks after the company donated $200,000 (over N75m) into the United Nations in Nigeria Basket Fund for the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria, and committed another N25m 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.
Speaking on the donations, the Managing Director of APMT, Martin Jacob, said, “This is one battle we must join hands to fight, and with the strong leadership being provided by the Federal Government, Nigeria will overcome this difficult times.”
Jacob said the items donated were aimed at preventing the spread of the virus at the port, since “there is currently no vaccine to prevent it.”
He added, “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 sanitiser; maintaining social distance and avoiding large gatherings must be respected by all, including at the port where we provide essential services.”
The General Manager, External Relations of APMT, Daniel Odibe, who handed over the nose masks and other items to the Manager of Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, FunmilayoOlotu, urged all hands to 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 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, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the Port Health Services to ensure that the supply chain remains uninterrupted and that 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.
