The federal government has put an end to its proposal to sell subsidized 50-kilogram (kg) bags of rice to public servants priced at N40,000.
This was disclosed in a circular titled, “Withdrawal of internal circular on sale of subsidized rice to public servants”, and signed by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs Human Resources Management Department, according to Nairametrics.
The original circular directing the sales of the N40,000 bag of rice is therefore revoked, according to the circular, which was sent to the directors and heads of departments.
The circular contained no justification for stopping the initiative.
“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Affairs) of 1st August, 2024 on the above subject matter and to inform you that the Internal Circular is hereby withdrawn.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 letter read.
The Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs Human Resources Management Department requested civil servants to register for the sale of the subsided food item after Minister of Information Idris Mohammed announced that the federal government planned to sell 50 kg of rice for N40,000.
The Ministry stated in a letter dated August 1 that staff should pay for the purchase of the bag of rice, adding that a staff member is entitled to only one bag.
The memo signed by Mrs. Jaiyesim Abimbola Aderonke (Mrs.) Director, Human Resource Management, stated the following:
“As part of federal government’s efforts to alleviate the current food crisis in the country and its effects on the general population, I am directed to inform you that 50kg bags of rice will be sold at subsidized rate of Thousands Naira (N40,000) only per bag to interested public servants in Abuja.
“For effective implementation, all interested staff are required to complete a Google form on the OHCSF website. https//www.ohesf.gov.ng. print and submit some to Director HR for endorsement payment and distribution of the rice will be coordinated by designated officials while the chairman, Joint Union Council of the Ministry is required to serve as an observer during the period of the exercise for the purpose of transparency
“I am to further add that each staff is only entitled to purchase one bag. Two or more staff may also jointly pay for a bag for sharing among themselves.
“Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of staff in your respective Departments/Units for information and guidance.”
As of June 2024, the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that food inflation was 40.87% year-on-year.
