The Federal Government has commended Manufacturers and Captains of Industries for sustaining production of essential commodities nationwide to meet the demand of Nigerians and cushion the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown put in place to curtail the spread of the Pandemic.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo, who was represented by Engr. Battah Ndirpaya, the Manager, Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) of the Committee on Sustainable Production and Delivery of Essential Commodities During COVID-19 Pandemic stated this at the weekly briefing of the committee in Abuja.

Ndirpaya disclosed that despite the initial challenges faced by manufacturers and industries, they were encouraged to operate by the Federal Government to ensure the production and distribution of essential products like food items, medical and pharmaceuticals products while observing all standard procedures, as recommended by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

He said inter-state restrictions and curfew has remained as one of the major obstacles militating against the free-flow and movement of essential commodities.  The Committee however, attributed the difficulty in the movement of essential commodities to some sharp practices by drivers conveying the goods.
It regretted several instances where truck drivers where accosted smuggling passengers into States of destinations, regardless of the ban on movement of humans at interstate boundaries. 

It urges the drivers to desist from the act as it was capable of frustrating the efforts of the federal government at ensuring smooth flow and movement of goods and essentials to places they are needed the most.