The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the sale of 30,000 metric tonnes of milled rice to public servants with registered National Identification Numbers (NIN).
Daily Report Nigeria reports that the initiative, aimed at curbing racketeering and reducing food prices, was launched by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, represented by President Bola Tinubu.
The subsidised rice will be sold at a flat rate of N40,000 naira for 50kg, with a strict “one man to one bag” or “one woman to one bag” policy. The government intervention is part of efforts to address the prevailing food crisis in Nigeria.
According to Kyari, the move is timely, considering the challenges faced by citizens. He attributed the high cost of food prices to factors such as COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war, climate change, and localized challenges.
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To ensure transparency and success, the government has put in place measures, including the verification of beneficiaries using NIN and phone numbers. This is to prevent multiple access to the commodity by fraudulent individuals.
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Citizens are urged to cooperate with the relevant authorities to achieve the initiative’s objectives. The government expects the injection of 30,000MT of rice into Nigeria’s food balance sheet to crash the price of rice and other closer food substitutes.
The Director, Food and Strategic Reserve Department (FSRD), Haruna Sule Abutu, outlined the procedure to buy the subsidised rice.
Abutu stressed that buyers must have a National Identification Number, phone number, and be registered under the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS) platform.
Once these conditions are met, a code number and Treasury receipt will be generated, allowing the buyer to collect their bag at the designated center. The receipt will indicate the time and point of collection to prevent stampedes.
The government has assured citizens that the initiative is part of its efforts to enhance food security and uphold the fundamental right to food for all Nigerians.
Citizens are advised to remain patient and steadfast as the government’s numerous efforts to address food insecurity begin to pay off.
