COVID-19: Western Naval Command adopts proactive measures on Nigerian waters
COVID-19: Western Naval Command adopts proactive measures on Nigerian waters
Domain
By Modupe Oremule
Lagos, March 30, 2020 (NAN) The Western Naval Command (WNC) says it is adopting three proactive measures aimed ensuring that the Nigerian waters remained safe in concerted efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
Rear Adm. Oladele Daji, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that the measures were adopted following the Presidential order to contain the spread of the virus in Nigeria
“The Presidential Order has been amplified and communicated to all naval commands by Naval Headquarters through the Chief of the Naval Staff Operational Directive for the Containment of the Spread of COVID-19,”he said.
According to him, the measures are Maritime Domain Awareness, deployment of warships within its Area of Responsibility and collaboration with relevant agencies in the maritime domain.
“These measures are: Monitoring of all ships transiting or calling at Nigerian ports through effective use of the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) facilities in the Command.
“These facilities will indicate the history trail of all the vessels, including the port of origin, the previous ports they berthed, the type of cargoes on board, their agents in Nigeria etc.
“When these information gathered are analysed, it will tell us whether or not the ship is from high risk countries and we will be able to advise the appropriate port authorities.
“Including the Port Health Department within the WNC’s AOR on how to handle the ship and its cargoes,” he said.
He added that WNC was fully enforcing federal government’s directive for a ship to have been at sea for at least 14 days before being allowed entry into the ports.
He said that to prevent the influx of foreigners during the period, warships and smaller boats in the backwaters were being deployed.
“The second layer of measures being taken to prevent influx of foreigners is the deployment of warships at sea within the WNC’s AOR and smaller boats in the backwaters (creeks and deep waterways).
“The naval assists are tasked to interrogate all vessels to ascertain their mission and if suspicious, they are boarded by own personnel to carry out physical inspection.
“Personnel required to board such ships are fully kitted with personnel protective wears, the third measure is the collaboration with all relevant agencies operating in the maritime environment.
“In order to ensure synergy of efforts in the implementation of government policies regarding containment of the spread of COVID-19,”he said.
Reacting to the precautionary measures put in place to ensure the safety of personnel, he said that there has been sustained campaign and sensitisation, while safety had always been a way of life to naval officers.
“The issue of safety in the Navy is part of the naval way of life and a major part of naval training, essentially because of the confined nature of the ship itself.
“These training include, keeping safe in situations of Nuclear, Biological Chemical attacks or accidents as well as in cases of fire onboard the ship.
“In the present case of COVID-19, the WNC has been conducting sustained campaign and sensitisation of personnel and their families to imbibe basic hygiene practices and make it a way of life.
“This includes the correct procedures for hand washing with water and soap, use of hand sanitizers and disinfectants for surfaces suspected to be contaminated,” he said.
The FOC said that required logistics were provided at strategic places in ships, units and establishments within the Command in line with the Nigerian Navy Safety slogan: “SAFETY FIRST, SAFETY ALWAYS.
“Accordingly, the Naval headquarters also provides Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) to all personnel deemed to be at risk in the course of performing their duties, including medical personnel.
“And personnel required to board and search vessels either at sea or alongside the quay,” he said.
Reacting to whether the Command would reduce the number of personnel for duty during the period, the FOC said that the full capacity of the Navy was needed in case of emergency.
“In line with the CNS Operational Directive on Containment of the Spread of COVID-19, the WNC has developed a Contingency Plan of Action.
“Taking into consideration and in anticipation of additional measures that may be rolled out either by the Federal Government or the various State Governments within the WNC’s AOR.
“Accordingly, the Command is prepared to assist the Civil Authorities to implement any such measures.
“As may be instituted through activation of the capabilities of Nigerian Navy Disaster Relief Units within the Command and Internal Security Platoons,”Daji said.
He said that the Contingency Plan of Action developed by the WNC would be automatically activated to ensure that there was no spread, incase of suspicious case of COVID-19 in any ship, unit or establishment.
“Like I said before, Safety is a way of life in the navy because of the peculiar nature of the platforms in which we operate as well as the nature of the operational environment.
“All these make the slogan “SAFETY FIRST, SAFETY ALWAYS “ relevant at this time more than ever before,”he said. (NAN)
MJO/KOLE/WOJ
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Wale Ojetimi
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