The Federal Government has put on hold its plan to sell subsidized 50kg bags of rice to civil servants for N40,000. This suspension marks a pause in the government’s initiative to make rice more affordable for its workforce.
The decision was communicated through a circular titled “Withdrawal of Internal Circular on Sale of Subsidized Rice to Public Servants.” This document was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs (Human Resources Management Department), formally announcing the suspension.
The circular was specifically addressed to Directors and Heads of Departments, ensuring that the information was distributed to the relevant officials within the public service..
“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Affairs) of 1st August, 2024 on the above subject matter and to inform you that the Internal Circular is hereby withdrawn.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 circular reads.
The previous memo from the Ministry, dated August 1, and signed by Mrs Jaiyesim Abimbola Aderonke, Director of Human Resource Management, had outlined the procedure for civil servants to purchase the rice.
However, no reason was provided for withdrawal of the plan, which certainly will leave many civil servants who had registered for the subsidised rice in a state of uncertainty.
