The Federal Government has launched the sale of 50kg bags of rice for ₦40,000 in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.
This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to address the current socioeconomic challenges resulting from the removal of subsidies on petroleum products.
During a ceremony at the Arcade ground in the state capital to kick off the sale, the governor announced that his administration would soon implement the sale of other subsidized food items across all twenty local government areas in the state.
He emphasized that this scheme would enhance the program’s reach and that food products such as garri, rice, and beans would be available at significantly subsidized prices.
“We will soon be implementing our own version of this scheme from each local government, meaning we will implement this across the twenty local government areas of the state to deepen the reach into our grassroots” he said
“We will be selling food items like garri, rice, and beans at heavily subsidised prices,” he said.
While emphasizing that both the federal and state governments believe sustainable development hinges on strategic actions rooted in inclusiveness, transparency, fairness, and accountability, the governor commended the state’s Head of Service and his team for their commendable efforts.
He stated that the distribution will include various groups such as civil servants at the federal and state levels, organized private sectors, artisans, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, student bodies, market women, community development associations, and traditional and religious organizations, among others.
The governor assured the people that the Head of Service’s office, along with the Ministry of Agriculture and the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), has developed a comprehensive plan to ensure the equitable distribution of the commodity across all twenty local government areas in the state.
He announced that, following the launch of the subsidized rice sale in Abeokuta for the Ogun Central Senatorial District, similar initiatives will also commence in Ilaro for the Ogun West Senatorial District and Ijebu-Ode for the Ogun East Senatorial District.
Governor Dapo Abiodun urged beneficiaries to maintain order at the sales points and adhere to the timetable set by the committee to prevent overcrowding, adding that additional sales points will be established.
“To ensure accountability, there will be no cash payments; payment will be made through Point of Sales (PoS) machines, and beneficiaries will undergo physical verification at the point of sale.
“No double registration will be allowed; NIN will be verified to ensure that we prevent any sharp practices.
“This distribution will be carried out transparently and fairly, ensuring that these palliatives reach those we have targeted,” he said.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the initiative, which he said was a testament to his commitment to tackle the issue of food inflation, adding that the president has shown capacity and love for the people of the country.
He noted that if the sale and distribution of petroleum products were not liberalized by the government, it would have cost the country over N11 trillion in a year.
In his remarks, the Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, said that the initiative is powered by the Federal Government to enhance the livelihood of the citizens.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, who was represented by Ayo Ajayi, commended the state for having the best template for the sale of subsidised rice, adding that the Federal Government would be making use of the template in other states of the country.
Senator Kyari noted that the initiative, which is intended to bring relief to the people, would go a long way in reducing the price of foodstuffs, stating that the procedure involves verification of the National Identity Number (NIN), and the payment of the sum of N40,000 for the subsidised 50 kilograms of rice using the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM).
In his remarks, the state chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Chief Waheed Oloyede, commended Governor Abiodun for the continuous release of funds for the settlement of the gratuities of pensioners in the state, also acknowledging the Governor for being the first in the country to key into the initiative of the Federal Government with the launch of the program.