Nigerians in the Federal Capital Territory FCT anticipating buying the federal government’s hardship intervention rice at N40,000 per 50kg bag have expressed frustrations locating the sales points.
The initiative to offer hungry Nigerians subsidised rice was officially launched by the Federal Government last week.
Africa Health Report AHR, checks show that at the public launch, which took place on September 5, 2024, in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, flagged off the sale of 30,000 metric tonnes of milled rice.
Kyari said that the initiative was driven by the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to ensuring that “Nigerians do not go to bed hungry.”
While assuring the public that the government has put in place mechanisms to ensure transparency and the smooth sale of the subsidised rice, Kyari urged citizens to cooperate with government agencies to make the initiative successful.
“I, therefore, urge our dear citizens to cooperate with the relevant agencies of government who will try to serve you to achieve this great initiative of the government.
“Let us work together to ensure that the dream of the present administration to uphold the fundamental right to food for all Nigerians is achieved,” the minister emphasized.
Kyari also stated that to ensure fair distribution, the rice sales would follow a “one person, one bag” policy.
But days after the launch, FCT residents have expressed frustration over their inability to locate designated collection or payment points for the rice. Many say they have not seen any distribution points set up in their local areas.
According to a resident in Lugbe area of AMAC, Mrs Louisa Kalusa, rice is selling at N89,000 per 50k bag. “I went to market on Saturday to buy the locally processed rice because I have struggled to buy the one the federal government said it was selling to citizens. But I can’t find the locations where the rice is sold”, she lamented, adding, “I hope this is not politics they are playing with Nigerians’ lives”.
Another resident Mrs Aisha Sufiyan, shared her disappointment. “I only heard the government is selling rice at N40,000 per bag, I don’t know where the stores are located, not to talk of how to buy,” she said.
“I had to buy a bag of rice for N84,000 on Friday from a wholesaler who even claimed it was a wholesale price,” she added.
She said the price of rice has doubled after the government promised to sell rice at designated locations.
“We saw them showing rice on the television saying the government is selling rice for N40,000 but up till now, we are not aware of anywhere to buy the rice here,” a resident, Ambrose Ideyin said.
Some Nigerians have expressed doubts about success of the intervention, saying that the government has to demonstrate its sincerity to sell rice to the populace at reduced price.
Also, some raised concerns that middlemen might take advantage of the distribution chain, further complicating access to the subsidised rice.
“The day I heard about the N40,000 per bag of rice I knew it would not be realistic because of the way the government has been treating us,” Idehin continued.
AHR attempts to locate any of the sales points in the FCT were futile.
Futile also were efforts to get a response from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
However, the government is seen as responsive, and would, after reading this story clarify the situation
on where and how to access the subsidised rice.
This is not only a right step towards reducing the frustration among residents in buying the subsidised rice but is also a step that will go a long way to reduce the current hardship being faced by Nigerians resulting from food crisis.
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