The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, yesterday launched the sale of 30,000 metric tons (MT) of FGN-milled rice to Nigerians at a subsidized price of ₦40,000 per 50-kilogram bag.
The minister said that the release of 1,000 trucks, each carrying 30MT, totaling 600,000 bags of rice, aims to not only lower the price of rice but also other food substitutes and alternatives.
During the event, the minister explained that this initiative was a directive from President Bola Tinubu, who is determined to ensure that Nigerians do not go to bed hungry. In his wisdom, the President saw the need for this food intervention.
Kyari highlighted how global food chains have been disrupted due to COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war, and climate change, along with local challenges such as rising food prices and declining farm yields. He added that Nigeria, like many other nations, has been impacted by these disruptions, leading to heightened concerns about food security and declining living standards globally.
Kyari further urged Nigerians to recognize that these challenges are not unique to the country. He emphasized that this food intervention comes at a crucial time, as part of the government’s efforts to mitigate the high cost of food commodities. He pointed to other initiatives, such as the release of 42,000MT of assorted food commodities to vulnerable groups and the current 30,000MT of milled rice for sale.
The federal government, aware of the challenges of selling such an important staple as rice during this critical period, has put in place measures to ensure transparency and broad distribution. These measures include limiting purchases to one 50kg bag per person, and verifying beneficiaries through National Identification Numbers (NIN) and phone numbers to prevent fraud and ensure fairness.
The minister called on Nigerians to cooperate with the relevant government agencies to ensure the success of the program. He also encouraged citizens to remain patient with the President, assuring them that the administration’s efforts to enhance food security will soon bear fruit.
Dr. Haruna Sule, Director of the Strategic Grains Reserve, provided further details on the nationwide sale. Civil servants will be able to purchase the rice using their IPPIS and NIN numbers, while other Nigerians can use their NIN alone to access the commodity. Sule emphasized that the process is designed to be transparent and straightforward.
To qualify, buyers must present their NIN or IPPIS numbers to the sales operators, after which they will make an electronic payment using an ATM card. Once the payment is verified, they will receive a receipt with a code number. This receipt, along with a treasury receipt, will be required at the collection point to claim the rice. Sule explained that sales and collection points are separate to avoid overcrowding.
The director added that about five to six sales points will be set up across Abuja, and the sale will continue until all available rice is distributed.
