Firm flies medical supplies to Nigeria

APM Terminals has booked a chartered flight to deliver vital health supplies acquired under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

The chartered flight, which landed at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, brought in various health items made up of 10,000 test kits, 15 oxygen concentrators, and personal protective equipment (PPEs), vaccines, IEHK/PEP kits, and other vital health supplies acquired by the UN.

The supplies will support the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), to prevent and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in affected states across the country.

The Managing Director of APM Terminals Nigeria, Mohammed Ahmed, who confirmed this development, said: “It is very important to keep the flow of especially food supplies, medicine and PPE running to best navigate through the COVID-19 breakout and its consequences. We see that clearly all over the world, not least in the countries which already are exposed. We are therefore happy to support UNICEF in flying vital equipment to families in Nigeria,” Ahmed said.

He said the gesture was in addition to the contribution of $200,000 (over N75million) by the UN into Nigeria Basket Fund, to boost the Government’s efforts in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic; and the contribution of another N200million directly into the Federal Government’s COVID-19 Relief Fund Account at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He also said that the company spent N25 million on creating community awareness through the media as well as fliers to sensitise Nigerians about the pandemic.
Ahmed said: “We are happy to lend a helping hand at this critical time. COVID-19 is no respecter of persons, boundaries or territories. All hands must therefore be on deck to curtail its spread across the world.

“Our various contributions, which collectively amounts to more than N400 million so far, showed our high esteem for the country and for our people. We believe that when we work together, we will overcome this pandemic soon,” Ahmed said.

He also emphasized the importance of strict adherence to the various safety measures issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the NCDC in containing the virus spread.

Ahmed further requested importers to take delivery of their cargoes to check congestion at the terminals. APM Terminals in both Apapa and Onne has continued to provide uninterrupted services during the lockdown. Measures such as providing hotel accommodation around Apapa for personnel have ensured smooth operations.