As Nigerians continue to face severe hunger, the Federal Government has outlined the necessary documents citizens need to access the subsidized price of ₦40,000 for a 50kg bag of milled rice.
Required Documents
To obtain the rice, individuals must present the following:
- National Identification Number (NIN)
- ID Card (such as a driver’s license, passport, or any government-issued ID)
- ATM Card for registration and payment
Registration Process
- Documentation and Payment: After gathering the required documents, beneficiaries should head to the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) in Abuja for registration and payment.
- Verification Process: Upon completion of the documentation and payment, individuals will undergo a separate verification process by government officials before receiving their rice.
- Collection Point: Once verified, beneficiaries will collect their 50kg bag of milled rice at the Central Business Area, beside the First Bank Branch by NNPC Towers.
Government Measures
Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, addressed potential challenges in distributing this critical staple during such a difficult period. He stated, “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.”
Fraud Prevention
Kyari emphasized several measures to prevent fraud in the distribution process, including:
- Limiting distribution to one bag of rice per person
- Verifying beneficiaries through identification methods such as the NIN and phone numbers
Impact on Food Supply
The government is optimistic that injecting 30,000 metric tons (equivalent to 1,000 trucks of 30 metric tons each) of rice into Nigeria’s food supply will significantly reduce rice prices and also benefit related food items. The rice will be distributed across states to ensure equal access, but beneficiaries must have the required documents before making a purchase.
This initiative aims to alleviate the burden of hunger faced by many Nigerians and ensure that staple foods are available at more affordable prices during these challenging times.