N40,000 Per Bag: Nigerians Frustrated Over Difficulty Accessing Subsidized Rice

Many residents of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory have struggled to obtain the Federal Government’s subsidized 50kg bags of rice, priced at N40,000.

The government launched the sale of 30,000 metric tons of subsidized rice, but the process of obtaining the rice has been fraught with challenges.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that hundreds of residents flocked to the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) headquarters, a payment center, to purchase the rice.

However, many reported long waits and difficulties in making payments. Some complained of being turned away, while others faced technical issues.

Mr Ebenezer Ayiri said that the process should be simplified since they were using the National Identification Number (NIN) for verificafication and payment.

“The process is stressful and unnecessarily delayed, so, the payment process should be simplified by creating more payment centers.

“I think payment should be done online. After all, we have different payment platforms that could be deployed to make things easier for people,’’ Ayiri said.

Residents expressed frustration over the complicated process, which involved using their National Identification Number (NIN) for verification and payment.

They suggested simplifying the process by creating more payment centers or allowing online payments.

Uche Joseph, a resident, said he was leaving the payment center after two days of unsuccessful attempts.

“I don’t think it is worthwhile, wasting my time here because of a bag of rice. I really don’t understand why Nigerians should be subjected to this harrowing experience.

The government should design an easier method of access to the commodity, if they are really serious about ameliorating people’s suffering,’’

An official from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) threatened to shut down the exercise when he was denied access to the building. Despite the challenges faced by residents, NAIC officials were unavailable for comment.

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The subsidized rice initiative is part of the government’s efforts to address economic hardship and ensure food security. However, the difficulties encountered by residents highlight the need for improvements in the distribution process.

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