- Says airlines to pay for crew COVID-19 test bi-weekly
Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has released COVID-19 Pandemic Public Health Protocols for Nigerian based crew operating international flights, stating that the flight crew will not be quarantined but must undergo mandatory testing for COVID-19 every 14 days at a cost to the air operator upon return to Nigeria and crew members who test positive will be taken to a treatment centres for further management.
The protocol also states that flight crew must now wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and observe Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) measures for the duration of the flight. This is as the NCAA is also considering the gradual lifting of domestic travel restrictions with the re-opening of four or five airports at a time and also carrying out campaigns to rebuild confidence and encourage people to resume flying.
In a letter with reference NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/120 dated May 27, 2020 and signed by the Director General, Captain Musa Nuhu, to all operators, airports and other service providers, the new protocol approved by Federal Ministry of Health replaces the current practice where Nigerian based flight crew members who operate international flights are quarantined for 14 days upon their return to Nigeria.
According to the letter, Nigerian based airlines and crew wishing to conduct flight operations outside the country shall be required to ensure orientation and sensitisation of crew on Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) measures as per training and guidance from public health authorities. They would ensure they have adequate stock of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), minimum 70percent alcohol-based hand sanitisers and Universal Precaution Kits (UPK) on board aircraft before the flight. “Flight crew members will have no physical contact with any persons while in a foreign country, including ground handling staff, airline staff, embassy staff, drivers, protocol officers, hotel/accommodation staff etc.
Upon return to Nigeria flight crew will not be quarantined but will undergo mandatory testing for COVID-19 every 14 days at cost to the Air Operator. Crew members who test positive for COVID-19 will be taken to a treatment center for further management.
NDDC saga: Group alleges foul play over closure of headquarters, urges Buhari, security agencies to intervene
Act for positive Initiative (API) has alleged that the decision to shut down the headquarters of the Niger delta development commission (NDDC) was part of the grand design to cover up wrongdoings in the outfit.
The group in a statement it’s Head directorate of research, strategy and.programme, Mr
Kolawole Johnson contended that there was no basis to shut down the NDDC headquarters under the pretext of containing the Coronavirus pandemic.
Drawing the attention of security agencies and President Mohammadu Buhari to the unfolding drama at the NDDC, the group insist that the probe of the NDDC must go ahead since key officials like the Executive Director, Finance & Administration and the Managing Director in the know of financial dealings are still alive.
“Most of the documents in our possession have both names, there is no way the other party can feign ignorance.
It noted: “We had earlier raised an alarm in the early hours of the day on a rumored satanic scheme to weave the death of the Acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the commission around COVID-19 in order for members of the commission to proceed on self- isolation, shut the office and frustrate the ongoing probe.
“We alerted some journalists as early as 7:30am on this dubious plan and later appeared on a National Television to warn all involved to respect the dead and halt such inhuman plot.
“Event this afternoon has finally confirmed this plan that was leaked to the public several hours before it was officially hatched.
“The commission has released a memo to begin the series of drama planned; from isolation to fake test and eventual fake confirmation. We call on the President to direct security agencies to investigate and frustrate every ploy in this regard.
“The late EDFA was no doubt an accounting officer, but not the chief accounting officer. The Managing Director/CEO is the chief accounting officer. All payments are authorized by the Executive Director, Finance & Administration while the final approval lies with the Managing Director.
“Most of the documents in our possession have both names, there is no way the other party can feign ignorance.
“We also make a special appeal to the security agencies to protect the Managing Director/CEO of the commission.”
