The Presidency has ordered that immediate access be granted to
all vehicles carrying products on the exemption list issued by the
Presidential Task Force PTF on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Pandemic, especially those conveying food items.
The Presidency reacted to the report that security agents
charged with the responsibility of enforcing the restriction
measures to be complied with by all citizens, had been detaining
vehicles conveying food items across the country.
In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the
President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on
Tuesday evening, the Presidency ordered that all such food
couriers, as well as others conveying other exempted products like
pharmaceuticals, agricultural products and others, should be
allowed access to any parts of the country, so long as those in
each vehicle do not exceed three in number and are in possession of
prescribed basic sanitary items like facemasks and sanitizers.
“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.
“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”,
the statement said.
The Presidency has ordered that immediate access be granted to
all vehicles carrying products on the exemption list issued by the
Presidential Task Force PTF on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Pandemic, especially those conveying food items.
The Presidency reacted to the report that security agents
charged with the responsibility of enforcing the restriction
measures to be complied with by all citizens, had been detaining
vehicles conveying food items across the country.
In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the
President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on
Tuesday evening, the Presidency ordered that all such food
couriers, as well as others conveying other exempted products like
pharmaceuticals, agricultural products and others, should be
allowed access to any parts of the country, so long as those in
each vehicle do not exceed three in number and are in possession of
prescribed basic sanitary items like facemasks and sanitizers.
“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.
“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”,
the statement said.