The Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Monday kickstarted the sales of the 55 per cent discount on rice and other essential items procured for residents at an estimated sum of N14bn.
The food gesture aims to cushion various economic hardships for Nigerians as a result of various reforms including the removal of fuel subsidies.
Aliyu said during the inauguration of the state and local government monitoring teams for the sales of food items at the subsidized rate.
The governor had procured 300 truckloads of rice which would be allocated to the 244 wards in the state, noting that each of the wards is entitled to one truckload of rice and will be made available at discount rates.
The State Commissioner for Local Government, Ibrahim Adare had said โThe government will subsidise the item with about a 55 per cent rate. If a bag of rice is N86,000 in the market, we will make it available at between N40,000 and N45,000,โ
Speaking at the launch, Aliyu, warned the distribution committee to avoid any form of lackadaisical behaviour that would jeopardize the palliative approach.
โAvoid any political, ethnic or religious consideration while discharging your assignment. Make sure every family has free access to these items because it is meant for every resident of this state,โ he warned.
The governor said members of the committees were drawn from academia, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and politicians amongst other security agencies.