The Nigerian government has announced plans to supply rice to police personnel at a subsidised rate. The initiative, led by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), is aimed at easing the cost of living for the nation’s law enforcement officers.
According to an internal memo obtained by *SaharaReporters*, police authorities have been instructed to compile a list of interested personnel. The memo, dated November 8, 2024, urges Divisional Police Commissioners and other officers to treat the matter as urgent and submit the names of those wishing to benefit from the initiative.
“Be informed that the command is expecting supply of rice for sale from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture at a subsidised rate. You are to compile and forward a list of those interested to buy. Treat as very urgent and important,” the memo states.
This comes after a similar initiative earlier this year, where the government attempted to sell subsidised rice to civil servants. However, the programme faced criticism when it was abruptly suspended, leaving many workers frustrated. The sale of rice had been expected to help reduce food prices, with the government initially pledging to sell 30,000 metric tonnes of rice at a subsidised price of N40,000 per 50-kilogram bag.
The rice distribution program for police personnel is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to alleviate the financial pressures on Nigerians and reduce the rising cost of food in the country.
