The Nigerian government has announced the sale of 30,000 metric tonnes of milled rice to Nigerians at a subsidized rate of N40,000 per 50-kilogram bag, but prospective buyers will need to present their National Identification Number (NIN) to access the rice.
The sale, which began on Thursday in Abuja, is being rolled out nationwide in response to the country’s growing economic challenges.
Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, inaugurated the rice sale, stating that the intervention was timely, given the current circumstances in Nigeria. He acknowledged the difficulties many Nigerians face and emphasized that the government has put in place measures to ensure the rice distribution is transparent and reaches as many citizens as possible.
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However, in order to prevent fraudulent purchases and ensure the rice is distributed fairly, the Federal Government is implementing strict verification protocols. Each individual will only be allowed to purchase one 50kg bag of rice, and buyers will be required to present identification, such as their NIN or phone numbers, to verify their eligibility. This measure aims to prevent multiple purchases by individuals seeking to hoard or resell the rice at higher prices.
Kyari assured Nigerians that the government had deployed a multi-disciplinary team to monitor the distribution process, ensuring that the rice reaches those who need it most.
“It is expected that with the injection of 30,000MT into Nigeria’s food balance sheet, it will not only crash the price of rice but also other closer food substitutes and alternatives,” he said.
How to Purchase the Subsidized Rice
The process of purchasing the subsidized rice has been designed to minimize chaos and ensure a smooth operation. Dr. Haruna Sule, the Director of Strategic Grains Reserve at the Ministry of Agriculture, outlined the steps Nigerians must follow:
- Identification: Civil servants can access the rice using their Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) or their NIN. This information is logged onto a sales platform.
- Payment: Buyers will then make payments electronically using their ATM cards. Once the payment is confirmed, they will receive a receipt with a unique code number.
- Collection: The receipt will include the collection point and the scheduled time for pickup. Buyers will present their code to officials at the collection point and will be issued a bag of rice.
The government has set up multiple sales points across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the distribution will continue until all the rice is sold.
Background of the Subsidized Rice Sale
The sale of subsidized rice was initially announced in July by the Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed. Civil servants were asked to register for the subsidized rice under the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs. However, the plan was abruptly halted without any explanation, sparking confusion among those who had registered.
Now that the sale has commenced, many Nigerians are expressing skepticism over the government’s approach to resolving the economic crisis. They argue that distributing rice, though necessary, does not address the root of the country’s deepening economic woes.
Nigeria is grappling with severe economic challenges that have left millions of people struggling to afford basic necessities. Public frustration has continued to grow against the backdrop of deteriorating economic hardship. Many Nigerians believe that the sale of rice does little to resolve the broader economic challenges they face, such as inflation, unemployment, and the lingering impact of the fuel subsidy removal.
A Nigerian, Opeoluwa, voiced his disappointment, saying, “The solution to all economic problems in this administration is to share rice. To say I am disappointed is an understatement. At this point, from Mr. Wale Edun to the whole of the fiscal team, should be excused. They have failed Nigerians.”
Economists have argued that the government’s focus on short-term fixes, such as distributing food, falls short of the structural reforms needed to revitalize the economy.
The government hopes that the injection of 30,000 metric tonnes of rice will help stabilize food prices and ease the financial burden on many Nigerians. However, the scale of the intervention, given the size of Nigeria’s population, has raised concerns about its overall impact.
Many believe that the subsidized rice sale underlines the government’s struggle to find sustainable solutions to the country’s economic challenges.