States, law enforcement officials must ensure seamless movement of essential goods – PRESIDENCY

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A checkpoint in FCT, Abuja.

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*Warns restrictions of movement don’t apply to vehicles transporting food, others

 

“The country cannot afford a situation where agricultural products are being left to rot in trucks held at various checkpoints, when millions of Nigerians across the country need food. COVID-19 or no COVID-19, Nigerians need to eat.”

 

The Nigeria’s Presidency says there should be no stopping or man made hindrance for food trucks from movement across states’ borders during the lockdown and restrictions done to stop the widespread of coronavirus, Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

This the Presidency, in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said was in the light of presidential directive, during the nationwide broadcast Monday night.

It said, “It is essential that attention be drawn to the reported large number of food trucks that are being delayed at various checkpoints around the country or prevented from crossing state borders, as a result of the various curfews and lockdowns in different states.

“The restrictions of movement as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic do not apply to vehicles transporting essential commodities, such as food.

“The country cannot afford a situation where agricultural products are being left to rot in trucks held at various checkpoints, when millions of Nigerians across the country need food. COVID-19 or no COVID-19, Nigerians need to eat.

“Other essential items that can be transported despite the ban on movement as prescribed by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) include: pharmaceutical and sanitary supplies, personal care items, agro chemicals and agricultural machinery, electrical products and electronics, oil and gas, courier services, health supplies and protective garments.

“Vehicles transporting essential items must not convey any commercial passengers. In addition, the occupants must not exceed three, i.e. the driver, spare driver, and conductor.

“The drivers must have basic protective and sanitary items, including: face masks, hand sanitisers, and tissue paper to and from their destinations. Once these conditions are satisfied, they must be allowed to travel freely to and from any part of Nigeria.”


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