Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, officially launched the sale of Federal Government-subsidised rice on Thursday. He also revealed plans to extend the sale of other subsidised food items, including garri and beans, across the state’s 20 local government areas.
Speaking at the ceremony at the Arcade Ground of the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Abiodun emphasized that the initiative would ensure food affordability for all residents. He stated, “We will soon implement this scheme across all local governments to reach the grassroots, selling items like garri, rice, and beans at reduced prices.”
He highlighted that both federal and state governments are committed to sustainable development through inclusive and transparent measures. The governor praised the state’s Head of Service and his team for their efforts in managing the initiative, which targets civil servants, artisans, market women, trade unions, and various other groups.
Abiodun assured residents that a well-organized distribution template had been developed by the office of the Head of Service, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the National Security Adviser’s office to ensure equitable access to the subsidised food. He added that similar sales would soon begin in Ilaro and Ijebu-Ode, covering all three senatorial districts.
To maintain fairness, the governor announced that payments would be processed through Point of Sales (PoS) machines, with beneficiaries undergoing physical verification. He stressed the importance of transparency, noting that National Identification Number (NIN) verification would prevent fraud.
Abiodun also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to addressing food inflation and praised the president for his efforts in liberalising the sale and distribution of petroleum products, which saved the country significant costs.
Representatives from the Federal Government, including Senator Abubakar Kyari, commended Ogun State for having the best framework for selling subsidised rice, which may serve as a model for other states. Additionally, the state’s pensioners expressed gratitude to Governor Abiodun for supporting the Federal Government’s initiative and for his continued efforts in releasing funds for gratuity payments.
