The Federal Government of Nigeria have commenced the sale of subsidized rice at ₦40,000 per 50kg in some other states of the federation.
The states set to be the next beneficiaries of the federal government food subsidy initiative are Lagos, Kano and Borno States.
This was made known by a director at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, who spoke to Punch on Monday on the condition of anonymity.
It would be recalled that the government, in September, announced the commencement of the sale of rice to Nigerians at the subsidized rate of ₦40,000 per 50kg.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, officially launched the sale and distribution of the subsidized rice in Abuja.
However, a Director in the Ministry said the government is now set to extend the programme beyond Abuja as part of a broader strategy to ensure that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry.
“As I speak with you now, we are going to activate Lagos and Kano states for the sales any moment from now. Borno State is also going to be addressed,” the agriculture ministry official said.
The official, however, lamented that people are making the process difficult due to their lack of cooperation.
He said a lot of people besieged the National Agricultural Insurance Corporation centre where the rice was being sold and refused to follow orders.
“We opened the NAIC centre to see the cooperation of the public, but they proved very difficult to control,” the official explained.
The source added that individuals blocked entry and refused to follow sales protocols, complicating the process.
“Some persons came to sabotage the process to buy and take to the market, which frustrates the essence of the rice subsidy,” the official added.
He maintained that despite the challenges, Nigerians have benefited from the scheme.
“We are focused on ensuring that low-income earners, who are the direct beneficiaries, can access this vital resource.
“The government is committed to a smooth rollout in the aforementioned states, aiming to activate sales any moment from now,” the source said.
The source said the expansion is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to tackle food scarcity and support vulnerable populations nationwide, ensuring that essential staples are accessible and affordable for all Nigerians.
Market survey shows that the average price of a 50kg bag of rice in the market currently ranges between ₦80,000 and ₦90,000 depending on location.
