The President, Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, Eunice Ezoke, has applauded the efforts of maritime agencies for their various contributions and relief measures put in place for port users in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic in the country.
Ezeoke, who stated this in Lagos on Monday, commended the relief measure put in place by the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), which she said is in recognition of the pressure COVID-19 pandemic imposes on businesses and the commitment of the authority at sustaining the ease of doing business policy “at this trying period”.
The WISTA President also commended the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for extending the validity of statutory and trading certificates for all Nigerian registered vessels as well as Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificates for seafarers.
Ezeoke said that the agency’s determination that shipping continues in keeping with the global shipping chain and in line with the recommendations of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is laudable.
The WISTA President said the association is also excited with the release of 158 truckloads of rice and other items worth N3.251billion by Customs in compliance with the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari, to serve as palliative for the poor and cushion the effect of the ongoing lockdown in some parts of the country.
The WISTA President also commended the effort of the women in the industry for making donations to the seafarers and dockworkers during the lockdown period.
She particularly commended the Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup, and other STOAN members for supporting the Federal Government in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
She expressed confidence that the collective effort of the maritime stakeholders would help defeat the pandemic just as she called on the sector to continue to pray for the frontline caregivers as well as industry workers who risk their lives daily to ensure that the logistics and supply chain remain unbroken.