The Nigerian Federal Government lead by Bola Tinubu has rolled out a new initiative to alleviate the impact of soaring food prices by launching the sale of 30,000 metric tons of rice at a subsidized rate.
As reported, this program aims to offer a 50kg bag of rice to Nigerians for N40,000, marking a significant effort to provide financial relief amid rising costs. During the flag-off event in Abuja, Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, shared the specifics of the subsidy plan.
Kyari, speaking to PulseNets, outlined that to ensure equitable distribution and prevent fraudulent activities, beneficiaries must present valid identification, such as their National Identification Number (NIN) and phone numbers. “This verification process will help us manage and reduce the possibility of multiple claims,” Kyari said during the event.
Back in July 2024, the Federal Government had announced its intention to make staple foods, including rice, available at the subsidized rate of N40,000 per 50kg bag. PulseNets has learnt that this initiative is part of broader efforts to tackle escalating food costs, which have placed considerable pressure on households across the country.
The program involves deploying 1,000 trucks, each carrying 30 metric tons of rice, to infuse the Nigerian market with more supply. PulseNets learned that this influx is expected to lead to a substantial drop in rice prices, providing much-needed relief to consumers.
To qualify for the subsidized rice, individuals must adhere to specific criteria set by the government. Kyari told PulseNets that the distribution process would include stringent checks to ensure transparency and prevent manipulation of the system.
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The Minister emphasized the importance of the “one person per bag” rule, which aims to ensure that the rice reaches a wide number of people and discourages hoarding. Additionally, the Human Resources Management Department of the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs has been tasked with coordinating the registration of civil servants through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for their rice allocations.
By addressing these challenges, the Federal Government hopes to ease the burden of rising food prices and stabilize the market for essential commodities like rice, PulseNets has reported.
