Amid rising food insecurity nationwide, the Federal Government on Thursday initiated the sale of 30,000 metric tonnes of milled rice at N40,000 per 50kg bag as part of efforts to mitigate the effects of prolonged high food prices.
The initiative was launched by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, during a ceremony at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Kyari stated, “It gives me great pleasure to inaugurate this significant and long-awaited sale of 30,000 MT of government-milled rice to Nigerians at a subsidized price of N40,000 per 50 kg.”This initiative was made possible through the directives of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. His commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry led to the introduction of this food intervention.
“We all know that, following the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, climate change, and various local challenges, global food prices, farm yields, and supply chains have been severely disrupted, with Nigeria also affected.
“This has raised concerns about food insecurity and a general decline in living standards worldwide. Therefore, it is important to recognize that these issues are not unique to our country.
“This food intervention is timely, given the current difficulties faced by citizens of our great nation.”As part of the administration’s numerous efforts to alleviate the rising cost of food commodities, let us acknowledge the significant strides made, including the release of 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted food commodities to vulnerable groups and the 30,000 metric tonnes of milled rice being launched for sale to Nigerians today, September 5, 2024.”
The Minister further emphasized the importance of transparency and oversight in the sales process, stating, “The Federal Government, aware of the potential challenges in distributing such an essential staple during this critical time, has implemented a multi-disciplinary approach. We have established various processes and conditions to ensure transparency, broader access, and the overall success of this initiative.
“These measures include a policy of one person, one 50kg bag of rice, as well as verification of intended beneficiaries through identification mediums like the National Identification Number (NIN) and phone numbers to prevent fraudulent individuals from accessing multiple bags at the expense of other citizens.”In light of the above, I encourage all citizens to cooperate with the relevant government agencies working to implement this vital initiative successfully.
He also called on Nigerians to support the Tinubu administration, saying, “Let us unite in ensuring that the present government’s vision of securing the fundamental right to food for all Nigerians is realized.”
Expressing confidence, he added, “With the release of 30,000 metric tonnes (1,000 trucks carrying 30 tonnes each) of this staple, we expect not only a reduction in the price of rice but also in the prices of similar food substitutes and alternatives.”
“On behalf of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, I officially launch the sale of government-milled rice to Nigerians at a subsidized price.”
He concluded by encouraging Nigerians to remain resilient and patient, assuring them that the President’s ongoing efforts to improve food security will soon yield results.
