The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kwara State Council, Mallam Umar Abdulwahab has been appointed as member of the Federal Government Joint Technical Task Team (JTTT) on Emergency Response to COVID-19 on challenges of movement of food and agricultural inputs in the country.

The JTTT was established by the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muh’d Sabo Nanono in collaboration with his counterpart in the Ministry of Defence, Interior and Police in pursuant of the mandate of President Muhammodu Buhari during his last nation’s Broadcast.

“The President had directed the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to set up a task force to ensure minimal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on year 2020 farming season”.

The JTTT is expected to facilitate free and unhindered movement of food and agricultural inputs throughout the country without compromising the security and health of the nation.

The terms of reference of the team includes: working with relevant agencies in the States and Local Government to develop a window that will facilitate free and unhindered movement of food, livestock and agricultural inputs throughout the country without compromising the security and health of the nation.

Issue out clear instructions to all security personnel in the three internal security outfits of Police, Civil Defence and the Army on the need to allow free and unhindered movement of foodstuffs, livestock and agricultural inputs to all part of the Nigeria.

Also to work with NURTW to adequately educate its members in ensuring that vehicles conveying foodstuffs, livestock and Agricultural inputs, excluding passengers all allowed to pass.

The team is expected to ensure that adequate information clarifying the controlled movement of foodstuffs, livestock and agricultural inputs is disseminated by the media to food transporters and security personnel.