The Federal Government has officially flagged off the sales of 30,000 metric tons of rice at a subsidised rate of N40,000.
This announcement was made on Thursday, during the flag-off ceremony by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, at Abuja.
According to the Minster, Nigerians will have to present acceptable means of identification like the National Identification Number (NIN) and phone numbers to ensure accurate verification before they can benefit from intervention of the government to reduce the high cost of food price in the country.
In his remarks, Kyari said, “It is indeed my pleasure to welcome you all to this historical, all-important, and long-awaited flag-off of the sales of 30,000MT of Federal Government of Nigeria milled rice to Nigerians at a subsidised rate of N40,000 per 50kg.
“This kind gesture was made possible at the expense and directives of President Bola Tinubu, who does not want Nigerian citizens to go to bed hungry, and in his wisdom deemed it important to initiate this food intervention.”
The Minister also added that the COVID-19, Russian-Ukraine war and other factors affected food prices in the country. “We are all aware that in the recent past, especially after the mass of COVID-19, and due to the Russian-Ukraine war, climate change and other localised factors, challenges to food prices, have made it difficult for Nigerians,” he noted.
Speaking on how the distribution will be made, the Minister of Agriculture said the distribution will be done on the basis of “one person, per bag” to ensure that there is fairness.
The government has also approved the release of 42,000MT of Assorted Food Commodities (AFC) which will be distributed to indigent families in the country.
“I, therefore, urge our dear citizens to cooperate with the relevant agencies of government who will try to serve you to achieve this great initiative of government. Let us work together to ensure that the dream of the present administration to uphold the fundamental right to food for all Nigerians is achieved,” Kyari assured.
