The Federal Government has withdrawn a directive that had instructed civil servants to register for the purchase of a 50kg bag of rice at a subsidised rate of N40,000.
This development was communicated through an internal circular issued by the Director of Human Resources at the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Aderonke Jaiyesimi, on August 2, 2024.
READ ALSO: Public servants to register online to access N40,000 rice
The circular, which was addressed to all directors and heads of departments, announced the retraction of an earlier directive circulated within the ministry. Jaiyesimi noted, “I am directed to refer to our internal circular in the Ministry (Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs) of late August 2024 on the above subject matter and to inform you that the internal circular is hereby withdrawn.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.”
She also instructed department heads to disseminate this information to all staff members within their respective departments and units for proper guidance. “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,” Jaiyesimi added.
The original directive had invited civil servants who were interested in purchasing the subsidised rice to register by completing a Google form available on the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) website. Once completed, the forms were to be submitted to the director of human resources for endorsement.
The circular had also outlined 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.
This initiative was part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to mitigate the rising cost of living for Nigerians. Recently, the government announced the establishment of centres across the country where citizens could purchase 50kg bags of rice at the subsidised rate of N40,000.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, had highlighted this initiative as one of several measures introduced by the Tinubu administration to alleviate economic pressures on citizens.
