The Federal Government has decided to halt its plan to sell subsidized rice to civil servants. This decision was announced in an internal circular issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs (Human Resources Management Department).
The circular, titled “Withdrawal of Internal Circular on Sale of Subsidized Rice to Public Servants,” was directed to Directors and Heads of Departments. It stated:
“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Affairs) of 1st August 2024 on the above subject matter and to inform you that the Internal Circular is hereby withdrawn.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.”
The withdrawal of the plan comes without an explanation, despite earlier reports indicating that many civil servants had already registered for the subsidized rice.
The initiative was initially announced by the Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, who had proposed offering 50kg bags of rice at a subsidized rate to civil servants in Abuja as a measure to alleviate the effects of the current food crisis.
