The Federal Government has launched an initiative to alleviate the burden of Nigeria’s food crisis by offering subsidized milled rice. At the flag-off ceremony, President Bola Tinubu, represented by Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, outlined the specifics of the program, which includes the sale of 30,000 metric tonnes of rice at a reduced price of N40,000 per 50kg bag. The sale is on a “one person, one bag” basis, ensuring that the benefits reach as many people as possible.
Kyari detailed the government’s strategic efforts to lessen food scarcity, highlighting the concurrent release of 42,000MT of Assorted Food Commodities (AFC) to vulnerable populations. This initiative aims to ease the high cost of food, a pressing issue facing the nation. The carefully planned distribution process includes stringent buyer verification measures. Buyers must have a National Identification Number (NIN) and their phone number will be cross-checked to prevent multiple purchases by a single individual.
To ensure transparency and efficiency, a multidisciplinary government task force oversees the distribution. This body is responsible for preventing any fraudulent activities and ensuring that every eligible Nigerian gets a fair share. Kyari assured citizens that this injection of 30,000MT of rice into the market will not only reduce the price of rice but also have a stabilizing effect on other related commodities.
Further explaining the purchase process, Haruna Sule, Director of the Strategic Grains Reserve, stated that civil servants could use their Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) details to access the rice. Upon providing valid identification, a code number and Treasury receipt will be generated, enabling buyers to collect their packages at designated centers. The use of these systems aims to prevent overcrowding and confusion at the point of sale.
The initiative follows an earlier announcement in July by Minister of Information Idris Mohammed about selling subsidized rice, a plan subsequently suspended without explanation. This recent revival of the subsidized rice program signifies a renewed commitment by the government to tackle the pressing issue of food scarcity.
By ensuring that the subsidized rice reaches the most deserving, the government is taking concrete steps to provide relief to its citizens during these challenging times. The program’s emphasis on transparency and equitable distribution underscores its goal of supporting Nigeria’s vulnerable populations while attempting to bring about a broader stabilization of food prices in the market. According to Punch report.
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