EXCLUSIVE: Suspected Cargo Vessel offloading in Delta without crew allegedly observing self quarantine

By Shedrack Onitsha,

There are indications that the crew of a Cargo Vessel, currently offloading in the private port of Seaboard Corporation,  in Ogorode, Sapele, Delta State may not have carried out the mandatory two weeks quarantine for the dreaded Coronavirus also known as COVID-19.

 

The crew believed to have arrived the private port in a Vessel named “African Lily’ carrying wheat grain, from an African country suspected to be Ghana, before belting at the Seaboard Private Jetty, in Ogorode on Tuesday, March 31^st, 2020 was said to have started offloading grains into silos in the company premises immediately.

 

Advocate gathered from a reliable source who spoke anonymously that the ship arrived at the harbour on Tuesday, March 31^st, 2020 and the Vessel allegedly started offloading the wheat,  “the ship is expected to finish offloading today (Sunday) and I am sure it will leave immediately.

 

“The crews are Asians, so I am suspecting they are Philippinos, when they came they were robbing sanitizers on the workers’ hands and they brought something they were pointing on the employees’ forehead before they were allowed into the ship.”

 

With the Vessel coming in on Tuesday, March 31^st, 2020, and offloading of the wheat grain expected to finish today (Sunday), there is suspicion that the Vessel crew may not have carried out the necessary 2 weeks quarantine period expected of the vessel crew before interacting with the company employees.

Attempts to reach the Delta State Commissioner of Health, Dr Mordi Ononye, as at press time was not successful, however, a call to the guidance line provided by the Delta State Government informed Advocate that they are yet to report such a case to them, and promised to will carry out investigations.

 

Attempt to confirm if the Ship crew observed the 14 days isolation period before offloading, at the Customs Office in Sapele, met a brick wall as our correspondent was directed to the Warri office by a gentleman believed to be a Customs officer, “I can’t say anything o, you will visit the Warri office to get your information” he said when asked about the Vessel, the Warri office when contacted also failed to give any useful information.

 

At the Nigerian Port Authority, NPA, office in Sapele, close to First Bank at Pontu along Dafinone way, a fenced building with overgrown weeds, stared at this reporter; and woman, however, confirmed that the Port Authority office has been moved to Warri, “this office has been idled for years now,” she said.