The Federal Government has announced that only buyers with National Identification Numbers (NIN) will be eligible to purchase subsidised rice, as it begins the sale of 30,000 metric tonnes of milled rice at a price of N40,000 per 50kg bag.
During the launch ceremony, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security revealed that this rice intervention program emphasizes a “one person, one bag” policy to ensure equitable distribution among citizens.
The 50kg bags of rice are part of the Federal Government’s initiative to alleviate the ongoing food crisis in Nigeria. “This food intervention comes at a critical time, considering the challenges we face as a nation,” he stated.
Kyari highlighted this program as part of a broader effort by the administration to mitigate the impact of rising food costs. He also mentioned previous efforts, including the release of 42,000MT of various food commodities to vulnerable populations.
To ensure transparency and distribution fairness, a government task force has been established. Verification processes will include checks using the NIN and phone numbers to prevent individuals from acquiring more than one bag.
Citizens are encouraged to cooperate with government agencies involved in this initiative, as the injection of 30,000MT of rice is expected to lower rice prices and benefit consumers of alternative food items as well.
For those interested in purchasing the rice, the Director of Strategic Grains Reserve outlined the procedure: civil servants can access the rice by using their Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) details at designated points of sale.
To be eligible for the “one person, one bag” policy, buyers must present their NIN or IPPIS registration. When making a purchase, a code number and Treasury receipt will be generated at the point of sale, guiding buyers to their collection location and time for smooth distribution.
Last July, a previous announcement regarding the sale of subsidised rice was made, but the initiative faced a temporary suspension without further explanations from the government.
