The Nigerian Government has announced centres across the country where Nigerians may purchase a 50kg bag of rice for ₦40,000, urging calm during the intended nationwide demonstration.
Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, announced this during a briefing on the findings of the Federal Executive Council meeting, which was chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Monday.
Idris noted that the project is part of the Tinubu administration’s efforts to improve citizens’ living conditions.
He also said that nationwide protests are no longer necessary because the president has already addressed the protest organisers’ concerns.
“The position of the FEC is that most of the demands that the protesters are making are actually being addressed by the Federal Government and, therefore, it is the view of the government that there is really no need for the protests again.
“Most of the things that the protesters are putting forward are already being addressed by the government. And like we have said repeatedly, this is a listening government.
“The President has listened to the voices of all planning this protest. And the message is that there is no need for it. Indeed, the President is already protesting on their behalf by doing what they want the government to do,” said Idris.
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 specified places around the country.
Idris stated, “For example, at the last Council meeting, we announced that 20 vehicles had been delivered to each state governor for forward distribution to those who truly needed them, the poorest of the destitute in society.
“But the government did not stop. Rice is also being sold at about 50 per cent of its cost; a bag of rice is being sold as we speak. This rice has been taken to various centres across all the states of the federation and is being sold at N40,000. Centres have been created so that those who need this rice can go there and buy this rice at N40,000.
“In the first instance, about 10 trucks have been made available to each of these states; indeed, this is just the beginning. I know that some of the comments you hear is that it is never enough. The government has not pretended that these supplies are indeed enough. But these are necessary first steps that are being made and more of such interventions are being made 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.
“Already, some of these buses have been imported. Some of the conversion kits are already available. The conversion centres are already beginning to get active.
“The delays are largely because you don’t just go to the market and get these things off the shelves.
“First, the procurement processes have to be followed. And then, of course, you have to place an order for them. It is envisaged that as we make the transition from fossil fuels to renewables, there is going to be a reduction of over 60 per cent in the cost that people put into transportation,” he explained.