Nigerians Unable to Access ₦40,000 Subsidised Rice Sales Points

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are struggling to locate designated sales points for the ₦40,000 subsidised rice, which was launched by the Federal Government last week.

The program was inaugurated on September 5, 2024, by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, who flagged off the sale of 30,000 metric tonnes of rice at a subsidised price of ₦40,000 per 50kg bag. The initiative aims to alleviate food insecurity, a top priority of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Kyari acknowledged the difficult circumstances that have driven up food prices across the country, citing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, climate change, and local economic challenges.

“We are all aware that in the recent past, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the Russia-Ukraine war and climate change, food prices have soared, making it difficult for Nigerians to afford basic staples,” Kyari said. He emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring no Nigerian goes hungry.

To ensure fairness in distribution, Kyari explained that the government had implemented mechanisms to guarantee transparency and smooth operations. He urged citizens to cooperate with the relevant agencies and affirmed that the subsidised rice would be distributed on a “one person, one bag” basis.

Despite these assurances, residents of the FCT have expressed frustration over their inability to locate the sales points for the subsidised rice. Many say they have not seen any distribution centers in their communities.

Mrs. Yunusa Eleojo, a resident of Kuje Area Council, shared her disappointment. She recounted purchasing a 50kg bag of rice from a wholesaler at ₦84,000—more than double the government’s subsidised price.

“I’ve heard about the government selling rice at ₦40,000, but I have no idea where to find the stores, let alone buy it,” she lamented.

Similarly, Mama Twins, a resident of Bwari Area Council, expressed concern about the lack of visible sales points. “They showed the rice on television, saying it was available for ₦40,000, but we don’t know where to buy it,” she said. She also raised fears that middlemen might exploit the distribution chain, further restricting access to the subsidised rice.

Another FCT resident, Salami Taiwo, voiced his skepticism about the initiative. “When I first heard about the ₦40,000 rice, I knew it would be hard to believe. The government has disappointed us too many times,” he said.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security were unsuccessful as of press time. Officials from the ministry’s Public Affairs Department did not respond to enquiries.

As residents continue to wait for clarity on how and where to access the subsidised rice, frustration mounts. Many hope the government will quickly resolve the distribution issues to ensure the rice reaches those in need.