The federal government has announced the sale of 50kg bags of rice at a subsidized price of N40,000, a 50% reduction from the market price.
This is in an effort to address growing concerns over food affordability and quell planned protests.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this information during a press briefing at the presidential villa on Monday.
According to Idris, 20 trucks of rice have been distributed to each state, with designated centers selling the bags at the subsidized price.
However, the minister failed to provide specific locations where the rice is being sold, raising concerns about accessibility and transparency.
Idris framed the government’s move as a response to protesters’ demands, stating that President Bola Tinubu is “already protesting on their behalf” by addressing food availability and affordability.
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He said, “The president has listened to the voices of all those who are planning this protest. And the message is that there is no need for it,” he said.
“Indeed, the president is already protesting on their behalf by doing those things that they want a government to do. For example, the effort that the government is making in ensuring that food is being made available.
“The last council meeting here at the briefing, we announced that a number of trucks, 20 precisely, had been given to the state governors for onward distribution to those who actually are in need of them to the poorest of the poor in society and those who are actually in need. Food being made available.
“But the government did not stop there, there is also rice that is being sold at about 50 percent of its cost — a bag of rice is being sold as we speak now.
“This rice has been taken to various centres across all the states of the federation and is being sold at N40,000. Centres have been created so that those who need this rice can go there and buy this rice at N40,000.
“In the first instance, about 10 trucks have been made available to each of these states and indeed this is just the beginning. I know that some of the comments you hear are that it is never enough.
“The government has not pretended that these supplies are indeed enough. But these are necessary first steps that are being made, and more of such interventions are being made in the interim.”
The federal government’s decision to sell subsidized rice comes amidst growing discontent over economic conditions, with protests planned for August 1. By announcing this measure, the government aims to demonstrate its commitment to addressing citizens’ concerns.
However, the lack of transparency regarding the sale locations and the limited quantity of rice available may undermine the initiative’s effectiveness. Critics may argue that this move is a token gesture, insufficient to address the scale of the problem.
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