Federal Government Donates Rice to States Amid Economic Hardship
The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken steps to address the issue of food shortages in the country by distributing 20 trucks of rice each to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. This initiative marks government’s first steps in tackling the food scarcity issue in the country.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, stating that each state will receive 20 trucks of rice for onward distribution to the most vulnerable in the society.
“Each of the state governments has received 20 trucks of rice for onward distribution to the most vulnerable. This is a first step and the federal government will continue to support all the state governors and local governments, all the subnationals, so that the hardship being experienced by most Nigerians in terms of shortage of food supply is breached,” he said.
This move is part of the measures that the government is taking in addition to so many others to ensure that the hardship being experienced by Nigerians is drastically ameliorated. The Minister appealed to the governors to ensure the effective distribution of the grains to the most vulnerable in the society.
The donation consists of 100 trucks of rice, 44 trucks of sorghum, and four trucks of maize. The federal government has donated truckloads of grains to the Kano State government for distribution to the needy.
As part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to alleviate the impact of rising food prices and economic hardships faced by many Nigerians, the government has begun an investigation into its ongoing Ramadan feeding programme in the state.
While the donation has been met with cautious optimism, there are concerns that corrupt officials may divert the rice, preventing it from reaching those in need. Many are skeptical about the effectiveness of this donation, expressing concerns that corrupt officials may divert the rice, preventing it from reaching those in need.
