The Nigerian government has started the sale of 30,000 metric tonnes of milled rice to civil servants at a subsidised price of ₦40,000 per 50kg bag.
The initiative, expected to take place in all the 36 states and FCT kicked off in Sokoto, with the Sokoto State Head of Service, Alhaji Sulaiman Fulani, overseeing the unveiling ceremony.
Fulani urged civil servants to conduct themselves responsibly during the purchase process.
He explained that buyers must provide a code number to receive a treasury receipt as proof of payment, after which they will be issued a collection receipt indicating the pickup location and time.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Ahmed Aliyu for ensuring that Sokoto was among the first states to benefit from this initiative, which aims to alleviate the ongoing food crisis in Nigeria.
A Federal Government representative at the event, Bello Muhammed, who is the chairman of the exercise in the state, emphasised that the rice would be sold on a strict “one person, one bag” basis to prevent hoarding and ensure fair distribution.
“Beneficiaries will be verified using their National Identification Number and must present a valid ATM card with ₦40,000 for payment,” Muhammed said.
The rice will be distributed from a total of 33 trucks carrying 19,800 bags, with 65% (12,870 bags) allocated to state civil servants and the remainder to federal workers and the private sector.
Dignitaries present at the event included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar Alkali; Sokoto SEMA Special Adviser, Hon. Aminu Liman Bodinga; SEMA Executive Secretary, Bashir Muhammad; and SEMA Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Mustapha Umar, among others.
This initiative is expected to provide much-needed relief to civil servants and other beneficiaries in Sokoto State as food prices continue to rise nationwide.
