HIV/AIDS: NPA Supports Lagos-Abidjan Corridor

The management of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has assured officials of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor for Trade and Transport Facilitation Project, ALTTFP, of its readiness to promote awareness and fight the HIV/AIDS scourge in the West African sub region.

Speaking at the NPA headquarters in Lagos recently the Managing Director, Engr. Omar Suleiman, who was represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Ms. Aina Egharevba, stated that the NPA management would give all the required support to the committee established to sensitise and increase the awareness about the prevention of HIV/AIDS within and around the ports communities in Lagos and other port locations.

Egharevba stated that NPA would increase the awareness on the dangers of the disease among its staff through the sensitization programmes of its already established team which would impact on the global programmes along the West African corridor.

The executive director added that the truckers at the ports are among the most exposed to the pandemic, so the Nigerian Ports Authority Management is willing to support the fight against the scourge. She said two members of the executive management of the authority are part of the committee.

The leader of the two-man delegation from ALTTFP, Mr. Eddy Kokouvi Anthony said the purpose of their visit was to increase awareness on the need to fight HIV/AIDS and also to facilitate free movement of people and goods along the West African Corridor, adding that truckers and traders spend much time along the corridor, especially at the Krake-Seme border which he said hampers the rapid growth of business along the sub region.