Meet Chris Duncan (right), the newly appointed manager of a five star hotel in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Chris is a typical South African male who has been transported to a very different world. A member of the Biznews community tipped us off to a blog he’s been writing since arriving in Africa’s most populous nation last month. With Chris’s permission, we are republishing it as the Port Harcourt Epistles to provide an insight into the reality of living in a rapidly growing but very undeveloped part of the world. You’ll read about Mopols (Mobile Police Escorts) and compounds, armed guards and Ebola. Africa has never been for sissies. Port Harcourt even less so. – AH
By Chris Duncan.
Time for a celebration with a group of new friends, seven in all if I remember, as we enjoyed a fun filled afternoon with a good meal, French wine and lots of laughter.
The following day my staff spoilt me to with a surprise song, prayer and a cake. Very special day it was.
Celebrations over, a more serious and worrying matter is facing Port Harcourt, the first Ebola death followed by a second, people being quarantined, people are being traced who were in contact with the deceased and people slipping away because of ignorance and the stigma attached.
Here at the hotel a serious debate took place in our daily meeting.
Guests are saying we are not doing enough, people are scared, large groups are avoided as is body contact.
We have hand sanatiser placed at strategic points around the hotel but it was time to up our game.
Automatic dispensers placed at all points of entry, digital thermometers purchased, SOP’s written, staff retrained. All very serious.
From now on all guests and staff alike will be screened, temperature taken on entering, if it is over 38, sorry not entry.
Easy for the staff, the resident nurse will have you whisked off the local clinic.
A bit more complicated for the guests if the reading is too high, how do we handle it, what if they are confined and it is not Ebola, maybe flu or Malaria.
I saw a draft proposing that the General Manager is to be summoned if this occurs and then accompanies the person to a hospital.
I quickly responded and said no, I was not happy that my welfare maybe compromised – not a chance that I am escorting a sick person anywhere, let’s hope we have a decisive outcome here
So far the screening has been well received with the arriving guests feeling a sense of security.
Still an air of dread about, I sanatise my hands all the time, so much so that my skin on my hands  is drying and flaking off, I open doors with the tip of my finger or with my elbow, the less contact the better.
As my nurse sister in law advised – “treat everyone as if they are infected”. Thanks for the advice Lesley.
Surprisingly our room occupancy is remaining steady but food and beverage is taking a knock.
Other hotels are feeling the pinch, some quite badly.
I phoned JC during the week to join him for a beer at his place. Unfortunately not he said, lock down in place, no visitors allowed, dismissal if we do. His employer is taking the threat very seriously There goes my getting out a bit. I was quite disappointed.
We are all taking Ebola very seriously.
The rest of the week passed uneventfully.
I met some guests from Scotland and a fellow from Melkbos who are staying in the hotel and we spent a pleasant Friday evening together.
Last night the hotel held its fund raising charity event for UNICEF. An evening of music, dance and comedy. It was reasonably well attended considering the scare. As usual I could not understand a word they were saying – I just smiled and clapped as I thought necessary.
JC phoned, lock down relaxed, come for a beer he said – which I did, I could not wait to get out.
A quite lunch today then off on my favourite airline to Lagos tomorrow and back on Tuesday. Further budget meetings and a farewell cocktail party tomorrow night.
