In an attempt to ease the flow of essential
commodities during the lockdown, state governors in the country on Tuesday threw their weight behind food, beverage, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies
towards ensuring their continuous operations and making essential goods and
services available to Nigerians throughout the period of the lockdown.
This was a fallout of the concerted efforts by
governors to bring succour to the Nigerian people during the lockdown as well
as ensure that the remedy does not ultimately turn out to be
counter-productive.
According to the Head of Media and Public Affairs
of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, quoting a letter to the manufacturers, which was signed
by the Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the
governors noted that “considering the crucial role you play in ensuring the
production of essential items such as nutritious food, beverages, medical and
pharmaceutical products critical for the sustenance and the well-being of
individuals and families especially in these times, and following careful and
deliberate considerations we are pleased to convey to you our full support to
ensure that your operations continue unhindered.”
To guarantee the continued effective movement of
essential foods, beverages and medical supplies as well as attendant essential
services, the governors further stated: “We note that the whole value chain
from farmers to suppliers of raw materials, from manufacturers to suppliers of
packaging materials, transporters, distributors, sales teams and retailers
should continue with their lawful operations within the confines of the law and
to the extent that the current realities permit.”
The governors reasoned in the letter that lending
their support to these key players in the industry whose products are critical
to the daily existence of the Nigerian people, they would need some waiver to
continue to move their products around the country without let or hindrance.
The letter reads: “In view of the essential nature
of food, beverage and pharmaceuticals, all parastatals and agencies of state governments
have been advised as follows:
‘To guarantee the continued effective movement of
essential foods, beverages and medical supplies as well as attendant essential
services, the whole value chain from farmers to suppliers of raw materials,
from manufacturers to suppliers of packaging materials, transporters,
distributors, sales teams and retailers should continue with their lawful
operations within the confines of the law and to the extent that the current
realities permit.
‘The operations and activities of food, beverages,
medical and pharmaceutical product companies and their suppliers of raw and
packaging materials, transporters, distributors, sales team and retailers
should not be hindered by officials or agents of the state governments.
‘To ensure the safety of food, beverages, medical
and pharmaceutical products and also that of the suppliers of raw and packaging
materials, transporters, distributors, sales teams, retailers and other
employees who will be on the road during this time.
‘To guarantee that the distribution and movement of
raw and packaging materials and finished products of food, beverages, medical
and pharmaceutical products from various points within and across states are
seamless.
‘That in the event of closure of open markets or
shops, clear alternatives are defined on how to get finished food, beverage and
pharmaceutical products to consumers in their neighbourhood.
‘The responsiveness of relevant agencies of the state
governments in playing their part fully in ensuring that what they need to do
as prescribed by the law and extant regulations are carried out with dispatch’.”
However, the governors also included a caveat in
order to regulate the operations and forestall abuse, saying similarly, all food,
beverage, pharmaceutical and medical companies are required to adhere to the
following: ‘Issue all suppliers and transporters a letter of authority
confirming that they are authorised by you.
‘All your staff need to ensure identity cards are
carried at all time for all movements with a copy of this letter of authority
‘All organisations should ensure compliance to all
COVID-19 guidelines on social distancing, personal and respiratory hygiene for
the safety of individuals and the community at large’.
These suppliers and their operators are to be
provided with Toll free numbers they can call, just in case they have any
problems or bottlenecks during the course of performing their duties, stressing
that governors are working assiduously to ensure unhindered flow of essential
goods and services.
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