FG suspends plan to sell ₦40,000 rice bags to public servants

The administration led by President Bola Tinubu has halted the initiative to sell subsidized 50kg bags of rice to civil servants at a price of ₦40,000. Naija News recalls that the federal government had recently announced the establishment of centers nationwide where citizens could purchase these rice bags at the stated price.

`Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, the initiative was one of several measures by the Tinubu administration to alleviate the cost of living for Nigerians.

Earlier in the week, the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs had issued a statement, signed by the Director of Human Resources, Jaiyesimi Abimbola, instructing interested public servants to complete a Google form on the OHCSF website and submit it for approval by their director of human resources.

However, this plan has now been suspended. A communique titled ‘Withdrawal of Internal Circular on Sale of Subsidized Rice to Public Servants,’ signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs (Human Resources Management Department), confirmed the decision.

IDOMA VOICE  reports that the circular was addressed to Directors and Heads of Departments, stating, “I am directed to refer to our internal circular in the Ministry (Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs) of 1st August 2024 on the above subject matter and to inform you that the Internal Circular is hereby withdrawn.

“Further details will be communicated in due course. Please bring the contents of this internal circular to the attention of staff in your respective Departments and Units for their information and proper guidance,” the circular reads.

No reason was given for the withdrawal of the plan, leaving many civil servants who had registered for the subsidized rice uncertain about the future of the initiative.