The Federal Government has announced that the first batch of 50kg bags of rice will be sold to civil servants for ₦40,000. This is according to Channels television.
Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, stated that public servants will be prioritised due to their accurate data system, which will prevent abuse and ensure transparency. The bags will eventually be allocated to states for fair distribution.
Kyari emphasized that the sale will be monitored using the National Identity Number (NIN) to maintain accountability. The initiative aims to alleviate living conditions amidst high food inflation, which stood at 40.87% as of June 2024.
Earlier, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced that centers have been established nationwide for the sale of the rice.
The federal government has introduced measures to combat food inflation, including releasing grains from reserves and donating fertilizers to farmers. However, food prices continue to rise, and the impact of these measures is yet to be seen.
The sale of rice at subsidized prices is part of the government’s efforts to address food insecurity and inflation. Civil servants will be the first to benefit from this initiative, followed by the general public.
