Despite the Federal Government’s announcement of subsidized 50kg bags of rice being sold for N40,000, Nigerians have voiced their frustration and disappointment, citing difficulty in locating access points to purchase the grain at the promised price.
Credible News had earlier reported that the launch, which took place on September 5, 2024, saw the Minister of
Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, flagging off the sale of 30,000 metric tonnes of milled rice at a subsidized rate of N40,000 per 50kg bag.
Kyari disclosed that the initiative was driven by the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to ensuring that “Nigerians do not go to bed hungry.”
He acknowledged the various challenges that contributed to the current high cost of food in the country, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, climate change, and local economic factors.
“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 food prices, have made it difficult for Nigerians,” Kyari said.
He assured the public that the government has put in place mechanisms to ensure transparency and the smooth sale of the subsidised rice.
He urged citizens to cooperate with government agencies to make the initiative successful, stating, “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 the 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 said, also stating that to ensure fair distribution, the rice sales would follow a “one person, one bag” policy.
The FG also stated the method of purchase by consumers, as the Director, Strategic Grains Reserve, Dr. Haruna Sule, said the sale will be conducted nationwide. He said civil servants can access the grains from the point of sale with their IPPIS and NIN numbers while Nigerians can use their NIN only to access the commodity.
The director said: “The procedure is very simple; we have decided to make everything in a transparent manner – for you to qualify to buy the rice, you must have a NIN number, phone number and for the civil and public servants the IPPIS number. Once you have any of these three, you present it to the sales operators, where you present your NIN number to them and it’s logged on the platform that has been created.
“After this, you proceed to pay electronically with your ATM, and once the payment is done it’s linked to the initial sales operator, and it shows that you have paid and then a receipt will be issued with a code number.
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“With this code number, you will be issued with a treasury receipt to show you have paid to government, then you are given a receipt which shows point of collection and time of collection, ans this is to eliminate any form of stampede.”
In addition, Sule said “the point of collection is different from the point of sales and when you get to the collection point, you present your code to our officials and you will be given a bag of rice.”
“We intend to have about five to six sales points across Abuja and the duration of the distribution will be for the period they are able to finish sales.”
However, despite the fanfare around the launch, State residents have expressed frustration over their inability to locate designated collection or payment points for the rice. Many say they have not seen any distribution points set up in their local areas.
A resident of Kogi State, Mr. Ahmad Shehu said since the announcement, he was yet to locate despite his trial in getting the location. The civil servant added that he even contacted a friend in Lokoja just to know if there is a point of sale for the rice but all was in futility.
A resident of Kuje Area Council, Mrs Yunusa Eleojo, shared her disappointment. She recounted buying a bag of rice from a wholesale vendor for N84,000, more than double the price promised by the government.
“I only heard the government is selling rice at N40,000 per bag, I don’t know where the stores are located, not to talk of how to buy,” she said.
“I had to buy a bag of rice for N84,000 on Friday from a wholesaler who even claimed it was a wholesale price,” she added.
A Kano resident identified as Salamatu voiced similar concerns.
“We saw them showing rice on the television saying the government is selling rice for N40,000 but up till now, we are not aware of anywhere to buy the rice here,” she said.
She also raised concerns that middlemen might take advantage of the distribution chain, further complicating access to the subsidized rice.
An Enugu state business man, Ejiofor Mike described the entire process as an “audio promise from the Federal Government” as according to him no promise from the government officials can be trusted.
He cited the implementation of the new minimum wage, noting that even signing it into law, the minimum wage has not reflected yet in salaries of civil servants.
As the public awaits further clarification from the government on where and how to access the subsidised rice, the frustration among residents continues to grow.
Many hope the distribution issues will be resolved soon so that the subsidised rice can reach those who need it most.
Credible News.ng
