On Thursday, the federal government halted an ongoing plan to sell 50 kilogramme (kg) of bags of rice at N40,000 to civil servants.
The development was made public in a circular signed by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs Human Resources Management Department.
In the circular, which was directed to directors and heads of departments, the FG noted that the initial circular ordering the sale of 50 kg of rice at N40,000 is now withdrawn.
However, the circular did not give details or explain why the plan was halted.
The circular titled, “Withdrawal of internal circular on sale of subsidised rice to public servants,” reads, “I am directed to refer to our internal circular in the Ministry (Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs) of 1st August, 2024 on the above subject matter and to inform you that the internal circular is hereby withdrawn.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. Please bring the contents of this internal circular to the attention of staff in your respective departments and units for their information and proper guidance.”
News About Nigeria reported that the FG, through the Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, on August 1, 2024, announced the sale of the rice at a subsidised amount to public servants.
The Minister had also tasked the civil servants to register for the subsidised rice with the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs Human Resources Management Department.
Mohammed noted that all workers are entitled to only one bag of rice each.
