Ogun Governor Unveils Subsidised Rice Sales to Alleviate Food Inflation
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday launched the sale of Federal Government subsidised rice in a bid to cushion the effects of rising food prices. The governor, speaking at a ceremony held at the Arcade Ground, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, also revealed plans to expand the initiative by selling other subsidised food items, including garri, rice, and beans, across the state’s 20 local government areas.
The initiative, Governor Abiodun explained, aims to make essential foodstuffs more affordable for residents. “We will soon be implementing our version of this scheme across all the local governments, selling items like garri, rice, and beans at heavily subsidised prices,” he said, emphasizing the importance of extending the reach to grassroots communities.
Governor Abiodun also commended the Federal Government for its strategic approach to tackling food inflation. He praised President Bola Tinubu for showing “capacity and love for the people,” adding that the president’s actions, such as liberalising the sale of petroleum products, had saved the country from unsustainable costs, including an estimated N11 trillion in fuel subsidies.
The unveiling of the subsidised rice sale for Ogun Central Senatorial District marks the first phase of the distribution, with similar launches planned for Ilaro (Ogun West) and Ijebu-Ode (Ogun East). Beneficiaries of the scheme include civil servants, artisans, trade unions, student bodies, market women, and other groups. Governor Abiodun stressed the importance of maintaining order at sales points, noting that a strict timetable has been set to prevent overcrowding and ensure fair distribution.
“To ensure transparency and fairness, all payments will be made via Point of Sales (PoS) machines, and beneficiaries will undergo physical verification,” the governor explained. “No double registration will be allowed, and the National Identity Number (NIN) will be verified to prevent any sharp practices.”
In his remarks, Ogun State’s Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, praised the Federal Government’s efforts, stating that the subsidised rice sales would significantly improve citizens’ livelihoods. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, represented by Mrs. Ayo Ajayi, commended Ogun State’s approach, noting that the Federal Government plans to adopt its distribution template in other states.
Kyari also highlighted that the initiative requires the payment of N40,000 for 50 kilograms of rice, using Automated Teller Machines (ATM), with verification through NIN to ensure the process is efficient and secure.
Governor Abiodun’s efforts to alleviate the burden of rising food costs were lauded by various stakeholders, including the state’s Nigerian Union of Pensioners chairman, Waheed Oloyede, who commended the governor for his continuous support for pensioners and for being the first in the country to implement the Federal Government’s initiative.
The scheme is expected to bring much-needed relief to Ogun State residents amid the ongoing challenge of food inflation across Nigeria.
