Federal civil servants in Abuja were caught in a frenzy as long queues formed at the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, with workers scrambling to purchase 50kg bags of rice at a subsidised price of N40,000.
The intervention is part of the Bola Tinubu-led administration’s efforts to mitigate the ongoing food crisis in Nigeria.
In a video that surfaced online, tensions flared as civil servants engaged in heated verbal exchanges, pushing and shoving in an attempt to secure the discounted rice.
The chaotic scenes underscored the desperation of many Nigerians amid the rising cost of living and escalating food prices.
The federal government had earlier announced the sale of the rice as a relief measure, with each civil servant entitled to purchase one bag.
In an effort to accommodate lower-income earners, multiple employees are permitted to collectively buy one bag and share.
A circular, signed by the Director of Human Resource Management at the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Jaiyesimi Abimbola Aderonke, outlined the process for acquiring the rice.
Dated August 1, the circular instructed interested staff to fill out a Google form available on the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) website.
Employees were required to print and submit the form for endorsement by the Director of HR.
According to the directive, the sale and distribution of the rice would be overseen by designated officials to ensure fairness, with the Chairman of the Joint Union Council of the Ministry serving as an observer to ensure transparency.
Despite these efforts, the scene at the distribution center highlighted the immense pressure many Nigerians face as they struggle to cope with soaring inflation, especially on essential food items.
The government’s rice subsidy program is aimed at providing some relief, but the disorganized distribution process has left many civil servants frustrated.
This development comes at a time when food inflation has reached alarming levels, with staple goods becoming increasingly unaffordable for the average Nigerian.
While the subsidised rice initiative offers some respite, the demand far exceeds supply, leaving many still grappling with the harsh realities of the nation’s food crisis.
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