The Federal Government has announced the procedure for the sale of subsidized bags of rice to public servants – across the country.

According to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, only public servants with National Identification Numbers (NIN) would be able to buy the commodity which is expected to be sold on a one person per bag basis.

The Minister who stated this while flagging off the distribution exercise, said the move is aimed at curbing racketeering in government’s to crash the prices of food in Nigerian markets.

He said the rice — which is to be sold at a flat rate of ₦40,000 naira only for 50kg — was among efforts aimed at ameliorating the prevailing food crises in Nigeria.

The minister blamed COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war and climate change amongst other localized factors for the present high cost of food items

The Minister implored citizens to cooperate with the relevant authorities tasked with ensuring the distribution and sale of the 30,000 metric tonnes of rice.