The Federal Government has donated about 20 trucks of rice to each of Nigeria’s 36 States and Abuja, (FCT), as part of measures to cushion the country’s food crisis.
Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, who disclosed this in Abuja on Monday while briefing State House reporters at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, said, “Each of the trucks of course is carrying about 1,200 25kg bags of rice”.
He further said, “This is part of the measures that Government is taking in addition to so many others to ensure that the hardship being experienced by Nigerians is drastically ameliorated.”
The Minister said the bags of rice are expected to be distributed to vulnerable Nigerians by the State governments.
Idris emphasised the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to ensuring food access for all Nigerians. This distribution is specifically aimed at the most vulnerable groups, Idris stated.
The rice distribution is part of a broader strategy to tackle food security issues, exacerbated by ongoing economic hardships. Idris highlighted the Government’s dedication to social welfare, noting that the measure aims to mitigate the impact of economic strains and support those most affected.
“The initiative reflects our administration’s commitment to alleviating food insecurity and supporting our citizens during these challenging times”, Idris stated.
Nigerians have been grappling with a cost of living crisis since President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of subsidies on petrol last year.
Rice is one of the most common foods in Nigerian homes, but due to its high prices, it has become out of reach for millions. The price of basic foods has tripled in some cases, with a 50-kg bag of rice rising from about N20,000 to over N60,000.
Yesterday’s announcement comes a few days after the Government approved the duty-free importation of major food items like rice, beans, and wheat.
However, some Nigerians, including Akinwunmi Adesina of the African Development Bank, (AfDB), have criticised the food importation policy.
