The Federal Government has abruptly halted its plans to sell subsidized rice to civil servants, withdrawing an earlier circular that had directed interested workers to apply for the initiative.
This development was announced in a new circular issued by the Ministry of Special Duty and Inter-Governmental Affairs, which was obtained on Thursday in Abuja. The circular, dated August 2, 2024, was signed by Aderonke Jaiyesimi, the Director of Human Resources at the ministry.
The circular did not provide any reasons for the withdrawal of the initial directive, nor did it clarify whether the subsidized rice scheme had been permanently stopped or merely suspended.
The circular stated, “I am directed to refer to our internal circular in the Ministry (Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs) of August 1, 2024, on the above subject matter and to inform you that the internal circular is hereby withdrawn. Further details will be communicated in due course.”
It also instructed that the contents of the circular be disseminated to staff members across various departments and units for “their information and proper guidance.”
Earlier, civil servants had been instructed to complete a Google form available on the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) website and submit it to the director of human resources for endorsement.
The distribution and payment for the rice were to be coordinated by designated offices, with the chairman of the Joint Union Council of the ministry overseeing the process for transparency.
This initiative was part of several measures announced by the Tinubu administration to mitigate the rising cost of living in Nigeria.
Recently, the government announced the creation of centers across the country where citizens could purchase 50 kg bags of rice for N40,000. The move was intended to ease the economic burden on citizens amid the ongoing economic challenges.
The sudden withdrawal of the rice subsidy scheme has left civil servants and other stakeholders awaiting further clarification from the government.