Fear of Ebola affects foreign participation, exhibitors

Consequently the manage-ment of the Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA) has put in place measures to prevent Ebola virus within the fair ground
Our reporters observed the personnel of ABUCCIMA taking temperature of both exhibitors and visitors to the fairground before allowing them entrance.
The Director General of ABUCCIMA, Mr. Joe Wenegieme, who spoke to our correspondence on the preventive measure said: “In keeping with the federal government’s measures on the prevention of Ebola, we ratified the purchase of hand sanitizer, infrared thermometer, and have deployed not less than four personnel at the entry point to ensure no one with very high temperature is allowed into the ground.
“So far we have not recorded any such case and we sincerely hope things remain that way. We also have arrangements with United Healthcare which has stationed an ambulance at the fair ground to take care of any medical emergency that may arise,” he said.
A visit to some of the exhibition stands however showed presence of hand sanitisers and infrared thermometers which are used on their visitors to double check for safety.
Speaking on the low participation by foreign exhibitors, a Tukish businessman and exhibitor, Kadir Karaca said: “there have been all manner of hype in the international media over the outbreak of Ebola but our embassy advised us accordingly and when we came we noticed people going about their normal activities and all that was required is to be a little more careful that’s’ all.”