COVID-19: Let Transportation of All Essential Goods Be Easy – Presidency Tells Security Officials

The Nigerian Presidency has asked all security officials in the states to allow the movement of essential commodities such as food to be easy and stress-free.

Naija news Understands that the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu who gave the directives accused some security officials of delaying a  large number of trucks carrying some essential commodities such as food at various checkpoints across the country.

“It is essential that attention is 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”, Shehu said.

He stated that other essential items such as pharmaceutical and sanitary supplies, personal care items, agrochemicals, and agricultural machinery amongst others can be transported regardless of the movement restriction, which was prescribed by the Presidential Task Force.

“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, agrochemicals and agricultural machinery, electrical products and electronics, oil and gas, courier services, health supplies, and protective garments.

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