President Buhari Directs States, Law Enforcement Officials To Ensure Seamless Movement Of Essential Goods
BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday declared that the restrictions of movement as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic do not apply to vehicles transporting essential commodities, such as food.
The President, who stated this in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, stressed that 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.
In the words of President Buhari; “COVID-19 or no COVID-19, Nigerians need to eat.”
He further said; “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.”
The President however directed that vehicles transporting essential items must not convey any commercial passengers, adding that the occupants must not exceed three that include the driver, spare driver and conductor.
He further said; “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.”
The President explained that this is in the light of his directive, during the nationwide broadcast on Monday night, saying; “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.”
