Nigeria’s Federal Government Launches 30,000 Metric Tonnes of Subsidized Milled Rice
In a move to curb racketeering and crash food prices in Nigerian markets, the Federal Government has flagged off the sale of 30,000 metric tonnes of milled rice. The sale is strictly for public servants with duly registered National Identification Numbers (NIN) and will be sold at a flat rate of ₦40,000 naira only for 50kg.
According to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, the move is part of the government’s efforts to ameliorate the prevailing food crises in Nigeria. He explained that the rice intervention is timely, considering the challenges the country is facing due to COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war, climate change, and other localized factors.
To ensure transparency and fairness, the government has deployed a multi-disciplinary machinery and put in place processes to verify intending beneficiaries using their NIN and phone numbers. This is to forestall multiple access to the food commodity by fraudulent individuals at the detriment of other citizens.
The procedure for buying the subsidized rice is straightforward. To qualify, one must have a National Identification Number, phone number, or be a public servant registered under the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS) platform. Once the requirements are met, a code number and Treasury receipt will be generated, allowing the buyer to collect their bag of rice at the designated collection center.
The Federal Government is optimistic that this initiative will not only crash the price of rice but also other closer food substitutes and alternatives. Director of Food and Strategic Reserve, Haruna Sule Abutu, implored citizens to cooperate with the relevant authorities to achieve the initiative, stating that the government is committed to upholding the fundamental right to food for all Nigerians.
The government is urging Nigerians to remain steadfast and patient as the efforts to enhance Food security will soon begin to pay off. With the injection of 30,000MT of milled rice into the country’s food balance sheet, the government is confident that it will make a significant impact in addressing the food challenges faced by the country.
