The Federal Government has commenced the sale of 30,000 metric tonnes of milled rice at a subsidized price of ₦40,000 per 50kg bag, but only public servants with a duly registered National Identification Number (NIN) will be allowed to purchase.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, made this announcement while flagging off the sale in Abuja on Thursday, September 5. He explained that the move is aimed at curbing racketeering and reducing food prices in Nigerian markets.
The minister, represented by President Bola Tinubu, stated that the rice will be sold strictly on a “one man to one bag” or “one woman to one bag” basis. He emphasized that the intervention is part of the government’s efforts to alleviate the prevailing food crisis in Nigeria.
Kyari attributed the high cost of food prices to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, climate change, and localized challenges. He praised the present administration’s efforts to cushion the effects of these challenges, including the release of 42,000MT of Assorted Food Commodities (AFC) to vulnerable Nigerians and the 30,000MT of milled rice being sold.
The subsidized rice sale is expected to provide relief to Nigerians struggling with high food prices. However, the requirement for a NIN may limit access to the subsidized rice for some citizens.
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