Coronavirus: Low turnout mars inspection of Chinese manned vessels in Apapa

Findings have revealed that officials of government agencies saddled with vessel inspection at the Apapa Ports are currently shunning inspection of vessels manned by Chinese nationals following the outbreak and spread of the deadly Coronavirus.

Disclosing this to the Nigerian Tribune exclusively, an Environment Officer attached to the Port Health Services in Apapa Port explained that unlike before when officials of sister government agencies rushed to board vessels after the port health has given the go-ahead, since the Coronavirus outbreak in China, officials of sister agencies of government no longer rush to board vessels for inspection, particularly when she is manned by Chinese seafarers.

According to the Port Health official, who declined not to have his name in print, “these days, when a vessel arrives with Chinese seafarers, after we go on board and give the go-ahead for others to come for inspection, the numbers of officials who are willing to come onboard are very much reduced.

“However, when a vessel comes in with seafarers from other countries aside Chinese nationals, the number of officials that are ready to go onboard is always on the high side.

“It seems people are avoiding the Chinese-manned vessels because of the Coronavirus outbreak. But it is important to state here that we are battle-ready to combat any sign once we notice it. Immediately we notice any sign, we will alert the Center for Disease Control to ensure it is put under control.”