In a move to ease the burden of rising food prices, the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu in collaboration with the Yobe State Government, is set to commence the sale of 6, 000 bags of 50kg rice at a subsidized rate of N40, 000 to state and federal civil servants as well as organized private sector in the state.
A statement issued by the executive secretary Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Mohammed Goje said Governor Mai Mala Buni has already directed for the immediate commencement of the sales process in line with Federal Government Inclusion criteria. The ES said to achieve the set objective, the Yobe State government has convened a high-level stakeholders’ meeting, chaired by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Brig. Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam alongside the office of the Head of Service to finalize arrangements for the distribution.
Goje further said the meeting brought together key representatives from national and state agencies in line with the distribution and sales criteria.
“The meeting which was chaired by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Brig. Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam was also attended by the representative of the office of the Yobe State Head of Service, office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), EFCC, ICPC, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, NEMA, SEMA, the Nigerian Police, the NSCDC Agro-Rangers.
“The Distribution details and sharing formula will be relayed through respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) via the Office of the Head of Service, Yobe State in collaboration with respective Civil Service unions.
“The committee further agreed that the distribution will begin with civil servants after clearance from the HoS, who will undergo a strict screening and verification process at the SEMA office with Security and MDAs mentioned above supporting the validation and accountability process with each beneficiary presenting valid office ID cards and NIN.
“Each verified civil servant will be eligible to purchase one 50kg bag of rice at a highly subsidized rate of N40, 000,” the ES said.
Goje stated that the intervention aligns with Governor Buni’s early recovery and Post-Conflict Agenda by ensuring fair access to essential commodities.
“In total, 6,000 bags will be distributed at a ratio of 70% (4,200 bags) allocated to State Civil Servants and the Organized Private Sector, and 30% (1,800 bags) will be distributed/sold to Federal MDAs
and Parastatals within Yobe State.