Covid-19: FG Okays 70,000 Metric Tons Of Grains For Nigeria’s Poor

BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the release of 70,000 metric tons of grains for distribution to Nigerians as part of the palliatives to cushion the effects of the current lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, who announced this on Wednesday said the Federal Government is committed to alleviate the sufferings of Nigeria’s poor occasioned by tough the measures currently in place to tackle the global health and economic crisis caused by COVID-19

Mustapha said already the government has adopted a working document of implementation guide and protocols for the COVID-19 lockdown policy.

He also explained that based on initial reports on public compliance to restriction order where applicable, the President has granted partial exemption for operators of the upstream subsector of the nation’s oil and gas sector and operations at Port Harcourt and other ports in Rivers State.

According to him, releasing the grains to Nigerians is part of measures at ensuring some level of comfort for people across the country, especially in areas where the restriction order was strictest.

The SGF stated that the first tranche of the relief materials would go to Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states where the total lockdown has been ordered with the remaining going to other frontline states in the fight against COVID-19.

“The President has approved the released of 70,000 metric tons of grains from the National Strategic Reserve, for distribution to the poor, the vulnerable and those whose livelihood will be affected by the lockdown. The first tranche of about 6,000 metric tons will go to Lagos, Ogun and the FCT, while the remaining will go to other frontline states in the fight against COVID-19”, Mustapha said

“In the continuing effort to ensure very minimal disruption of upstream oil and gas exploration and operation in Nigeria, President Buhari has approved limited operation exemptions for operating companies, services and logistic companies in the Nigerian upstream sector.

“They will ensure regular gas supplies to power turbines that supply domestic electricity,” he said.

On compliance level with the restriction order, Mustapha said the PTF was impressed by reports received so far, noting that there were indications that security operatives have challenges, especially in some states that already have measures in place by their governors.

“We received situation reports from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on inter-state traffic across the country on March 31. Indications are that there was a reasonable level of compliance with the presidential directive, which has led to great reduction of traffic on major highways. We have, however, received reports of challenges arising from the enforcement of the presidential directives by security agents generally and in states where governors have imposed their own measures.

“As we continue to dialogue to remove the bottlenecks, I am pleased to inform you that the PTF has developed an Implementation Guide and Protocols for the COVID-19 Lockdown Policy. This document will be circulated to security agencies and will be discussed with sub-national entities for building synergy in the fight against the virus”, the SGF said.