Protest: FG launches sale of 50kg rice at ₦40,000
The Federal Government has developed centers across the country where Nigerians may purchase a 50kg sack of rice for ₦40,000, urging calm during the planned statewide demonstration.
This was revealed by Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, while briefing correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Monday.
According to Idris, the effort was one of several initiatives launched by the Tinubu administration to improve citizens’ living conditions.
He maintained that the nationwide protests were no longer necessary because the president was already attending to the protest organizers’ requirements.
“The FEC’s position is that the majority of the requests made by the demonstrators are being fulfilled by the Federal Government, and as a result, the government believes there is no reason for the protests to continue.
The government is already dealing with the majority of the issues raised by the protesters. And, as we have stated repeatedly, this is a listening government.
“The President has listened to the concerns of all those organizing this demonstration. And the message is that there is no need for it. Indeed, the President is already protesting on their behalf by carrying out what they want the government to do,” Idris stated.
He outlined the FG’s recent efforts, which included distributing 740 trucks of grain to states and announcing that 50kg sacks of rice are now available for N40,000 at designated centers around the country.
Idris stated, “For example, at the last Council meeting, we announced that 20 vehicles had been handed to each state governor for onward distribution to those who truly needed them, the poorest of the impoverished in society.
However, the government did not stop. Rice is likewise being sold at roughly half of its cost; a bag of rice is being sold as we speak. This rice has been transported to various centers throughout the federation and is being sold for N40,000.
Centers have been established so that anyone in need of this rice can visit them and purchase it for N40,000.
“In the initial instance, around ten trucks were made accessible to each of these states; nevertheless, this is only the beginning. I understand that some of the complaints you hear are that it is never enough. The government has not pretended that the supplies are sufficient. However, these are vital first measures, and additional similar interventions will be implemented in the interim.
He claimed the FG expects food prices to fall now that “the rainy season is here.”
“We expect that the prices of food items will come down as investments are also being made in traditional agricultural production and irrigation activities in many of these states in the federation,” Idris told reporters.
The minister noted the student loan scheme and the upcoming distribution of CNG kits as examples of initiatives to reduce living expenses.
He did, however, blame inevitable logistical constraints for the CNG bus implementation delay.
“Several of these buses have already been imported. Some conversion kits are already available. The conversion centers are already started to operate.
“The delays are primarily due to the fact that you cannot simply walk to the store and remove these items from the shelf.
“First, the procurement processes must be followed. Then, of course, you need to place an order for them. It is expected that when we transition from fossil fuels to renewables, people’s transportation costs would be reduced by more than 60%,” he said.
SOURCE CHANNESTV
