Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, officially launched the sale of subsidised rice on Thursday, unveiling plans to extend similar initiatives for other essential foodstuffs across all twenty local government areas.
This initiative aims to mitigate the impact of rising food prices and enhance food security for residents.
During the flag-off ceremony held at the Arcade Ground of the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun emphasized that the scheme would include the sale of staples such as garri and beans at heavily subsidised rates. “We will implement this across all local government areas to deepen our reach into the grassroots,” he stated.
The governor noted the importance of strategic governance based on inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability, commending the Head of Service and his team for their efforts in bringing the initiative to fruition. He highlighted that the distribution of subsidised food will cater to a diverse range of groups, including civil servants, private sector workers, artisans, trade unions, NGOs, student bodies, market women, and community organizations.
To ensure an equitable distribution, the governor assured residents that the Head of Service, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the office of the National Security Adviser have developed a structured plan for the initiative.
The sales will initially take place in Abeokuta for the Ogun Central Senatorial District, with subsequent launches in Ilaro and Ijebu-Ode for Ogun West and Ogun East, respectively.
Governor Abiodun urged beneficiaries to adhere to the guidelines set forth to maintain order during sales, emphasizing that payments would be processed through Point of Sale (PoS) machines to ensure transparency. He reinforced that verification through the National Identity Number (NIN) would be mandatory to prevent fraud and double registration.
In his speech, the governor expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to addressing food inflation, highlighting the importance of the initiative for the welfare of Nigerians. He noted that without the liberalization of petroleum product sales, the country would have faced a staggering financial burden.
The Head of Service Kehinde Onasanya, stated that the initiative, backed by the Federal Government, is designed to enhance the livelihoods of citizens. Senator Abubakar Kyari, represented by Ayo Ajayi, praised Ogun State’s implementation plan as the best template for the subsidised rice sale, indicating that it would serve as a model for other states.
In closing, the state chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners Waheed Oloyede, lauded Governor Abiodun for prioritizing the payment of pensioners’ gratuities and being the first state to implement the federal initiative, reinforcing the governor’s commitment to the welfare of all citizens.
