The Presidency has urged state governments and law enforcement agencies to allow for the seamless movement of trucks conveying essential goods including foodstuffs and other commodities across the country.
It said in line with Monday’s presidential directive, truckloads of essential goods detained at checkpoints across the county in the wake of the lockdown imposed by authorities in different parts of the country to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu insisted in a statement on Tuesday that the trucks conveying food items to states across the federation with a call on drivers to take all safety precautions before embarking on road trips.
The statement explained that “In the light of the presidential directive, during the nationwide broadcast last night, 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.”
Shehu reiterated Buhari’s statement which said “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.”
