On Thursday, the Federal Government banned the sale of subsidized 50kg rice bags to federal personnel for N40,000.
This decision was verified in a circular sent to directors and department heads.
“I am directed to refer to our internal circular in the Ministry (Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs) dated August 1, 2024, on the above subject matter, and to inform you that the Internal Circular is hereby withdrawn.”
“Further information will be supplied in due course. Please distribute the contents of this internal circular to workers in your relevant Departments and Units for their information and direction,” the circular states.
The previous memo from the Ministry, dated August 1 and signed by Mrs Jaiyesim Abimbola Aderonke, Director of Human Resource Management, outlined the procedure for civil servants to purchase rice.
However, no reason was provided for the withdrawal of the plan, which certainly will leave many civil servants who had registered for the subsidized rice uncertain.
The Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, announced the initial plan, stating that the government intended to mitigate the effects of the current food crisis by offering 50kg bags of rice at a subsidized rate to civil servants in Abuja.
