Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has announced that while 50kg bags of rice priced at N40,000 are available for sale by the Federal Government.
The specific sale centres will not be disclosed to prevent the locations from being hijacked and hoarded by affluent individuals. Idris made this statement during a press briefing at Radio House in Abuja on Wednesday.
Earlier this week, the Federal Government, through the minister, announced that it had established centres across the country where Nigerians could purchase the rice. This initiative is part of the Tinubu administration’s efforts to alleviate the living conditions of citizens.
Idris clarified that the rice is currently being distributed to various states. He emphasized that the exact locations and distribution routes are being kept confidential for security reasons and to ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the rice. “It’s in the process of distribution to the various states,” he stated. “Sometimes, it is difficult to mention the routes and the time for security reasons. But the rice is already available, it is going to be sold at N40,000 at various points around the country. Care is being taken so that it would not be hijacked by people who have money. If we put it out there, they would go there and hoard it; those for whom this rice is intended will not now get the rice.”
Additionally, Idris highlighted other efforts by the Tinubu administration, such as the National Education Loan Fund, which has received 120,000 applications and is aimed at benefiting two million students, and the N110 billion Nigerian Youth Investment Fund, set to run for the next two years.