Nigerians facing skyrocketing food prices received a glimmer of hope with the government’s announcement of rice distribution across the country.
Trucks loaded with rice arrived in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, aiming to soften the blow of a record-breaking 34.19 percent inflation rate reported in June 2024.
Each State received 20 trucks, but previous reports suggested each state would receive five. Each truck contains 1,200 25 kg rice bags, according to Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation. He did not state when the delivery took place.
State Governors are expected to distribute the rice bags to the “most vulnerable” locals.
“This is a first step, and the federal government will continue to support all the sub-nationals, so that the hardship being experienced by most Nigerians, in terms of shortage of food supply, is breached,” Idris said.
This intervention is complemented by the government’s approval of a separate N5 billion grant to each state specifically for the purchase of additional grains such as maize. This combined effort targets Nigerians grappling with affording basic necessities.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
