FCT Residents Struggle to Access FG’s Subsidized N40,000 Rice

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory are facing significant challenges in accessing the Federal Government’s subsidized 50kg bags of rice, priced at ₦40,000. The initiative, aimed at alleviating food insecurity, has been marred by difficulties at the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) headquarters, a designated payment center.

A correspondent from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed hundreds of residents queuing outside the NAIC office, struggling to complete the payment process. Many had arrived early, as early as 6 a.m., only to find the process inefficient and slow.

The Federal Government’s program, which involves selling 30,000 metric tons of milled rice at a reduced price, requires residents to make payments at NAIC and then collect their rice from another location in the Central Area. However, the process has proven cumbersome, with long waits and restricted access to the payment center.

Mr. Emmanuel Oshodi, a civil servant, reported frustration at being turned away despite his early arrival. He noted that on Tuesday, the center was reportedly serving only journalists, creating additional confusion as the process began on a public holiday.

Mrs. Deborah Alexis expressed her frustration after being informed that the server was down, causing delays. “There has been a backlog since Monday. When will they attend to the hundreds of people waiting here? It feels like we are suffering for a bag of rice that we still have to pay for,” she said.

Criticism has also been directed at the complex verification process, which relies on the National Identification Number (NIN). Mr. Ebenezer Ayiri suggested simplifying the process by creating more payment centers or implementing online payment options to ease the burden on residents.

Mr. Uche Joseph voiced his discontent, stating, “I’m leaving out of frustration after wasting two days without success. The government should design an easier method to access the commodity if they truly want to alleviate people’s suffering.”

NAN reported that an official from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) threatened to shut down the exercise when denied access, although no NAIC officials were available for comment.

The subsidized rice initiative is part of the federal government’s broader efforts to address economic hardship and enhance food security, starting in Abuja and potentially expanding to other regions.