How auto dealers are combating global pandemic

The costs of the coronavirus impact on businesses are at stake as the organised private sector explores measures to save struggling local economy.

Most of the auto dealers, whom have scaled down operations and have also complied with the Federal Government’s directive of the lockdown, urged all their respective customers, staff and stakeholders not to panic but to take precautionary and safety measures as instructed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Nigerian Center for Diseases Control (NCDC).

President, Coscharis Group, Dr. Cosmas Maduka, said as a responsible corporate entity, the group was heeding to government and the health institutions’ advice to ensure the safety of our assets whom are our staff and all our entire stakeholders.

“We have therefore put in place critical safety precautions in line with required guidelines across all our facilities and business concerns.

“ In line with the Lagos State Governor’s directives, all our Lagos based offices have been directed to drastically scale down number of their staff that will be coming to the office to achieve the required social distance directives while others work from home to be able to continually deliver value for all our stakeholders.”

Some of the measures already put in place according to him, are the hand – held scanners to check the temperature of all visitors and staff coming in and out of all our facilities. Automatic and manual dispensers in all touch points within all our locations.

Consistent cleaning of critical areas of all our buildings where human traffic occurs. Likewise, all offshore business trips for staff have been put on hold while the foreign partners has equally been advised to stay in their various countries for the period till further notice.

“During this challenging period, while we would be exploring options that will reduce physical engagements where it is necessary, to the barest minimum otherwise, we encourage our customers and stakeholders to utilize other platforms like telephones, emails and our website as credible options to engage for our services.

In a statement by its General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Abiona Babarinde, Coscharis group stand by all the efforts of the government to control the spread of this unfortunate virus and encourages every citizens and foreigners alike to remain responsible as we believe this is just a phase that will soon fade away in our lifetime.

In a related development, Stallion Empowerment Initiative, the philanthropic arm of Stallion Group, has pledged its support to provide locally produced rice and fish to all the government hospitals dedicated to curtail the global Coronavirus pandemic for three months.
Chief Executive Officer, Stallion Group, Anant Badjatya, said the group has further committed one staff bus each for the five Government run COVID-19 hospitals in Lagos.

The Group will also provide drivers and fuel for the buses, saying the “arrangement will help ensure safer and comfortable transportation of our health care workers who are in the frontline in this fight against the virus.”

Chairman, Stallion Group, Sunil Vaswani, said: “These are exceptionally difficult times and urgent emergency resources have to be deployed to cope with the needs of affected states and support their health care systems. At Stallion Group our top priority is the health and safety of our employees, customers and our community.

“There is nothing greater than the safety of the people of this country and its our responsibility to support the government and the community in this time of need. We are deeply grateful to every health care worker and person who has risked their life to fight this pandemic and will continue to support them.”

The Group commends the proactive efforts of the government and all the corporates who have come forward in this hour of need. It stands in solidarity with the health care personnel, the police, the immigration personnel, the customs, the aviation authorities, the factories working to produce essential items in this time of need, and all people acting responsibly to contain the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Toyota Nigeria Restricted (TNL) and Elizade Nigeria Restricted (ENL), of the Toyota model has donated three models of ambulances to the Lagos state authorities to assist the federal government within the struggle in opposition to coronavirus pandemic within the state.

In line with checks, one unit of the effectively-geared up Toyota Hiace normal roof mannequin relying on the specification is valued at between N26million and N30million.

Chairman of TNL and Founder of Elizade, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, was quoted in a statement that the Coronavirus pandemic deserves the cooperation of all and sundry to defeat “vicious virus.”

“COVID-19 is a vicious virus that is presently ravaging people all over the world. Everything humanly possible must be done to quickly contain the pandemic.

The government needs the support of all well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organizations to fight the evil scourge and all hands must be on deck”.

Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Kunle Ade-Ojo added that “the gesture is in recognition and commendation of the continuous efforts of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his indefatigable team to contain the spread of the virus”.

He implored Nigerians to abide by the rules offered by WHO and NCDC advising them on the way to keep away from contracting the virus and shun info from unauthorized sources. He suggested each citizen to obey authorities directive to remain house and hold protected.

The three ambulances were handed over to the First Lady of the State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu by the Public Relations Team Lead of Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, Bukki Ogunnusi. Sanwo-Olu was supported by the Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde and other Senior Officials of the government.