President Bola Tinubu’s administration has suspended the program that offered subsidized 50kg bags of rice to civil servants at ₦40,000. This initiative was recently introduced by the federal government, which had set up distribution centers nationwide for this purpose.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, had previously highlighted this program as part of the Tinubu administration’s efforts to improve living standards for citizens.
A statement released earlier this week by the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, signed by Jaiyesimi Abimbola, the Director of Human Resources, instructed public servants to fill out a Google form on the OHCSF website and submit it for approval to the Human Resources director.
The initiative has now been suspended, according to a recent communique titled ‘Withdrawal of Internal Circular on Sale of Subsidized Rice to Public Servants,’ signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs (Human Resources Management Department). This communique was directed to Directors and Heads of Departments.
The communique stated: “I am directed to refer to our internal circular dated 1st August 2024 regarding the above subject and to inform you that the Internal Circular is hereby withdrawn. Further details will be communicated in due course. Please ensure that staff in your respective Departments and Units are informed and guided accordingly.”
No reason has been provided for the withdrawal of the plan, leaving many civil servants who had signed up for the subsidized rice in a state of uncertainty.
