Rita Odafe
With many Nigerians grappling with hunger issues, the Federal Government has outlined necessary documents to access a subsidized price of N40,000 for a 50kg bag of milled rice.
Residents must complete documentation by presenting their National Identification Number (NIN), ID card, and ATM card for both registration and payment.
After fulfilling these requirements, individuals will undergo a separate verification process conducted by government personnel before receiving their rice.
For those in Abuja, the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) is the designated location for document submission.
Upon completion of all documentation and payment, individuals can pick up their 50kg bags of milled rice at the Central Business Area near the First Bank Branch by NNPC Towers.
During this process, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, highlighted possible challenges in distributing such a fundamental food item in these trying times.
He remarked, “The Federal Government is aware of the potential challenges associated with the sales of an important staple such as rice, and has deployed a multi-disciplinary machinery of government to ensure the transparency, wider reach, and success of this exercise.”
Kyari pointed out the importance of measures to avert fraud, such as limiting the distribution to one bag per individual and verifying recipients through their NIN and phone numbers.
He expressed hope that the introduction of 30,000 metric tons (1,000 trucks of 30 metric tons each) of rice into Nigeria’s food supply will lead to a notable decrease in rice prices and positively affect related food items.
This rice will be distributed nationwide to promote equitable access, so it is essential for beneficiaries to possess the required documents for purchase.
