President Bola Tinubu’s led government has put a halt to the initiative aimed at selling subsidized 50kg bags of rice to civil servants at the price of ₦40,000.

Recall that the federal government had recently said it had created centres across the country where Nigerians could purchase 50kg bags of rice for ₦40,000.

A statement earlier in the week through the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, which was signed by the Director of Human Resources of the Ministry, Jaiyesimi Abimbola, disclosed that all interested public servants were to complete a Google form on the OHCSF website and submit it to the director of human resources for endorsement.

This plan, however, has now been halted, as noted in a communique entitled ‘Withdrawal of Internal Circular on Sale of Subsidized Rice to Public Servants,’ which was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs (Human Resources Management Department).

We understand that the circular was directed to Directors and Heads of Departments.

“I am directed to refer to our internal circular in the Ministry (Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs) of 1st August 2024 on the above subject matter and to inform you that the Internal Circular is hereby withdrawn.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. 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,” the circular reads.

However, no explanation was provided for the withdrawal of the plan, which certainly will leave many civil servants who had registered for the subsidised rice in a state of uncertainty.