The Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs has revealed that the federal government has made a U-turn on its earlier plan to sell a 50kg bag of rice to public servants at the subsidized price of N40,000.
This decision was communicated through a circular titled, “Withdrawal of Internal Circular on Sale of Subsidized Rice to Public Servants,” signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs (Human Resources Management Department).
The circular, addressed to directors and departmental heads, stated, “I am directed to refer to our internal circular in the Ministry (Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs) of 1st August, 2024 on the above subject matter and to inform you that the Internal Circular is hereby withdrawn.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 abrupt reversal of the decision has left many civil servants in disarray, with no reason provided by the government for the change. A civil servant from the Ministry of Power expressed frustration, stating that the move highlights the government’s tendency to make impulsive decisions.
She noted that the reversal is a significant blow to her and many of her colleagues who were counting on the subsidized rice to alleviate the impact of the ongoing food crisis.
Last Friday, it was reported that the federal government had finalized plans to sell a 50kg bag of rice at N40,000 to public servants, in an effort to mitigate the effects of the food crisis on Nigerians. The plan, initially disclosed in a letter by the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, had detailed that payment and distribution of the rice would be managed by designated offices, with the chairman of the Joint Union Council of the ministry serving as an observer to ensure transparency during the process.
