In an effort to ease the financial strain on its citizens caused by rising food prices, the Nigerian government has launched a program to sell subsidized rice. Fifty-kilogram bags of rice will be available for purchase at a government-controlled price of N40,000.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris announced that 20 trucks of rice have been distributed to each state in the country. The subsidized grain will be sold at designated locations, representing a 50 percent discount compared to market rates.
The government hopes this initiative will provide relief to struggling Nigerians and halt the planned nationwide protest set to begin on August 1st. “The President has listened to the voices of all those who are planning this protest. And the message is that there is no need for it,” Idris said.
As the initiative unfolds, Nigerians will be watching closely to see its impact on food prices and the overall economy. It is still unclear if the initiative would stop the upcoming protest.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
