Dangote Fertiliser reports suspicious case of Coronavirus

BY OUR EDITOR

A contractor working at the Dangote Fertiliser plant in Lagos has been quarantined on the suspicion of coronavirus infection.

A statement by the Chief Corporate Communication Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina, on Tuesday, said that an Indian national who works with Onshore Construction Company – a mechanical, electrical and instrumentation contracting firm, specialising in fertiliser construction – reported at the site clinic complaining of high temperature and fever.

“His complaint triggered our Covid-19 Preparation and Prevention Protocols which necessitated further screening and isolation immediately.

“Mr. Akhil Kunyil, of the Health and Safety Environment of the Onshore Company, reported the development to the management following which local authorities were contacted.

“The patient was immediately conveyed to the Lagos Mainland Hospital, where he is currently being isolated and undergoing tests,” the statement elaborated.

Chiejina said as an organisation, Dangote Industries Limited had taken stringent proactive measures across its entire group.

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These, according to him, include the development of a comprehensive risk identification, control prioritisation and escalation plan executed by the company’s Covid-19 Task Force, constituted in January 2020 and identification and retention of a competent team of medical consultants.

Also, listed as part of the company’s protocol are:

• Travel ban for all employees to/from high risk countries as per W.H.O publications of country exposures
• Travel tracking of all employees and contractors’ staff arriving/leaving Nigeria and obligations for completion of medical checks to validate health status
• Implementation of use of thermal cameras across our various sites as well as infrared thermometers checking in smaller office locations
• Identification and creation, where applicable, of holding, isolation and quarantine areas
• Implementation of use of sanitisers across all locations – sites and offices
• Multiple and continuous awareness campaigns on preventive measures to be taken (both electronic and print, i.e posters, public announcements)

Chiejina said the aforementioned measures were continually updated as the situation changes globally, adding that, “the welfare of our employees and the nation as a whole remains our utmost priority.”