This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to alleviate the current socioeconomic challenges stemming from the removal of subsidies on petroleum products.
During a flag-off ceremony at the Arcade Ground in Abeokuta, the governor announced that his administration will soon implement the sale of other subsidized food items across all twenty local government areas of the state.
He emphasised that the scheme aims to reach grassroots communities effectively. “We will be selling food items like garri, rice, and beans at heavily subsidized prices,” he stated.
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The governor highlighted the importance of a strategic approach to sustainable development, underscoring principles of inclusiveness, transparency, fairness, and accountability. He praised the state’s Head of Service and his team for their efforts in establishing this initiative.
The distribution will target various groups, including civil servants, organized private sectors, artisans, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, student bodies, market women, community development associations, and traditional and religious organizations.
The governor assured the public that the office of the Head of Service, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) have developed a structured template to ensure equitable distribution across the state’s local government areas. Following the kickoff of the rice sale in Abeokuta, additional sales points will be established in Ilaro for Ogun West Senatorial District and Ijebu-Ode for Ogun East Senatorial District.
Governor Dapo Abiodun urged beneficiaries to maintain order at sales points and adhere to the established timetable to prevent overcrowding. To ensure accountability, payments will only be accepted through Point of Sale (PoS) machines, with beneficiaries undergoing physical verification at the point of sale. He stressed that double registration would not be tolerated, with National Identity Numbers (NIN) being verified to prevent fraudulent practices. “This distribution will be carried out transparently and fairly, ensuring that these palliatives reach those we have targeted,” he assured.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for launching this initiative, which he described as a testament to the president’s commitment to addressing food inflation. The governor noted that without the liberalization of petroleum product sales, the country would have incurred over ₦11 trillion in costs within a year.
In his remarks, the Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, stated that the initiative is driven by the Federal Government to enhance citizens’ livelihoods. Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, represented by Ayo Ajayi, commended Ogun State for having the best template for the subsidized rice sale, indicating that the Federal Government would adopt this model in other states. He pointed out that the initiative aims to provide relief to citizens and reduce food prices. The procedure includes NIN verification and a payment of ₦40,000 for the subsidized 50 kg bag of rice, to be processed via Automatic Teller Machines (ATM).
Chief Waheed Oloyede, the state chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, lauded Governor Abiodun for consistently releasing funds for pensioners’ gratuities and acknowledged him as the first governor in the country to align with the Federal Government’s initiative through the launch of this program.
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