Hunger: Nigerian Govt suspends plan to sell rice to civil servants

VOICE AIR MEDIA, News Update

THE Federal Government has suspended the plan to sell subsidised 50kg bags of rice to civil servants for N40,000.

Leadership reports that the decision was made known in a circular titled, ‘Withdrawal of Internal Circular on Sale of Subsidized Rice to Public Servants’, signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs (Human Resources Management Department).

The circular was addressed to Directors and Heads of Departments.

“I am directed to refer to our internal circular in the Ministry (Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs) of 1st August, 2024 on the above subject matter and to inform you that the Internal Circular is hereby withdrawn.

“Further details will be communicated in due course. Please bring the contents of this internal circular to the attention of staff in your respective Departments and Units for their information and proper guidance,” the circular reads.

The previous memo from the Ministry, dated August 1, and signed by Mrs Jaiyesim Abimbola Aderonke, Director of Human Resource Management, had outlined the procedure for civil servants to purchase the rice.

However, no reason was provided for withdrawal of the plan, which certainly will leave many civil servants who had registered for the subsidised rice in a state of uncertainty.

VAM News recalls that the initial plan was announced by the Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, stating that the government intended to mitigate the effects of the current food crisis by offering 50kg bags of rice at a subsidised rate to civil servants in Abuja.