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Cabinet officials

Federal Government Inaugurates Task Team to Facilitate Unrestricted Movement of Agricultural Products During COVID-19

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Federal Government has taken steps to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on Nigeria's agricultural sector by establishing a seven-man Joint Technical Task Team on Emergency Response to COVID-19. The team, inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, aims to ensure the free movement of agricultural products across the country. With concerns and threats to food security and agricultural production on the rise due to the pandemic, the task team is expected to facilitate the transportation of essential agricultural products while adhering to safety guidelines.

Key Takeaways:

  • The task team is comprised of members from various Ministries, Agencies, and Departments (MDAs), including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
  • The team's terms of reference include working with relevant agencies to ensure unrestricted movement of agricultural products, providing adequate information, and disseminating controlled movement guidelines to food transporters and security personnel.
  • The chairman of the task team, Assistant Inspector-General of Police Austin Agbonlahor, has assured the team's commitment to discharging its duties effectively and commencing work immediately.
  • State governors have been urged to offer necessary assistance to the team, while the NURTW has been tasked to enforce strict adherence to guidelines for the movement of goods and prevent transporters from conveying passengers or banned products.
  • The team's responsibilities include ensuring adequate information dissemination and controlled movement of agricultural products, as well as working with relevant agencies to facilitate the transportation of essential agricultural products.

Statistics:

  • 7: The number of members in the Joint Technical Task Team on Emergency Response to COVID-19.
  • 1: The number of Assistant Inspector-General of Police serving as chairman of the task team.
  • 3: The number of members from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
  • " numerous reports" received by the ministry of agriculture on problems faced by transporters of food, livestock, and agriculture inputs in different parts of the country.
  • "available information" confirmed that restrictions have resulted in food scarcity and impacted negatively on the nation's agricultural production.

Sources:

  • Government of Nigeria
  • Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
  • Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps
  • National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW)
  • All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN)
  • Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)
  • Legal Monitor Worldwide.

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