Nigerians have once again voiced their frustration over the challenges in obtaining the Federal Government’s N40,000 subsidised rice, which was introduced on September 6, 2024, in Abuja.
Many Nigerians have voiced their frustration about the difficulty in finding designated payment or collection points for subsidised rice.
Several individuals revealed that no distribution centres had been established in their localities, and they worry that middlemen may interfere with the process.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, instructed interested individuals to provide their National Identification Numbers and use an Automated Teller Machine card as the sole payment method.
On September 15, a representative from the agriculture ministry sought to ease public concerns by reassuring Nigerians that sales to the general public would commence on September 16.
The official emphasised the government’s dedication to ensuring all citizens benefit from the initiative.
Although the sales commenced as scheduled, citizens have expressed frustration over the difficulties of travelling from the outskirts to city centres, especially within the Federal Capital Territory, to reach the sales and collection points.
According to Punch, numerous individuals outside the FCT have reported being unable to find any sales locations in their areas.
A resident named Blessing Ameh, who lives in the Kubwa area of Abuja, reported that no sales points have been established in her vicinity.
A similar situation was observed in Oyo State, where another resident, Deborah Johnson, mentioned that despite hearing about the subsidised rice on the news, she has yet to see any distribution point in her area.
She said:
Experts have recommended that the government decentralise the payment and distribution points for the initiative to succeed. This would enable people to buy rice without incurring extra transportation expenses.
Tobi Awolope, an agricultural economist from the Centre for Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, emphasised that accessibility is vital to food security.
He noted that supply chain challenges, particularly the high cost of food transportation, have significantly threatened societal welfare, especially for those living in rural areas.
Awolope said:
Although Nigerians value the government’s efforts to ease the effects of increasing food inflation, they call on authorities to ensure that rice distribution extends to regions where most of the population lives.
Meanwhile, TimesNow.com.ng had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu-led federal government announced that getting the subsidised N40,000 per 50kg bag of rice would require NIN.
Abubakar Kyari, the minister of agriculture and food security, spoke on behalf of the president and made the revelation at the launch of the rice sales.
According to Kyari, interest buyers can also get subsidised rice once registered under the IPPIS platform.
