In view of the raging coronavirus pandemic, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has ordered some categories of its workers to stay away and work from home for the next 14 days.
General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, NPA, Adams Jatto, who disclosed this in a chat with SHIPS & PORTS, said the directive, which takes effect from Monday, only affect workers from JSS 3 to MSS4 in the non-essential departments.
According to him, “We have to down size our work force to reduce the number of people that have to be in the office beginning from tomorrow (today) as part of measures to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus. Some categories of workers will have to stay and work from home for the next 14 days in the non-essential departments. The workers in the essential divisions however will have to come to work.”
Jatto said social distancing and visiting restrictions have also been established at the NPA headquarters to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.
According to a memo with reference number HQ/CR AD /G.2 sighted by SHIPS & PORTS, the essential workers to report to work include the Managing Director’s division, Executive Director Finance and Administration, Medical Services, Marine and Operations, among others.
The memo reads: “Following the current coronavirus pandemic (COVID 19), the under listed non-essential divisions/departments are hereby directed to stay away from duty for 14 days effective from today (Monday). The memo quoted the non essential divisions to include “Corporate & Strategic Communications: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4; Audit Division: Staff from JSS3 — SSS1; Legal Services/Board: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4; Corporate & Strategic Planning: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4; Managing Director’s Office: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4 and Monitoring & Regulatory Services: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4.
“Others are Servicom Staff from JSS3 — MSS4; Public Private Partnership: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4; Abuja Liaison Office: Staff from JSS3 — SSS1; Human Resources: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4; Administration: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4; Engineering: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4 and Land & Assets Administration: Staff from JSS3 –MSS4.
Also to work from home are Enterprise Risk Management: Staff from JSS3 — MSS4 and superannuation & Investment: Staff from JSS3—MSS4.
“Included in the essential workers department to come to the office for their normal duties are Procurement, ICT; Correspondences and mail room and departmental heads and assistants at port level.
“Also on the list are Medical Services; Finance; Marine and Operations; Security; Health Safety & Environment; Facility Management; drivers assigned to the Managing Director, Executive Directors, medicals and operational drivers.
“Members of staff are advised to be conscious of their health and safety by adhering to the preventive measures put in place by the medical division of the authority and other relevant government agencies. Staffers are also enjoined to strictly comply with this directive.”