After the stampede that killed seven Nigerians while buying cheap rice, the Nigerian Customs Service is set to embark on another distribution of the essential commodity.
TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls that after the stampede the Customs had to temporarily halt the sale of rice at N10,000.00 for 25kg.
Apparently this is in response to the escalating prices of food items causing hardship for Nigerians, the Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Ogun Command, has unveiled plans for another round of distributing seized rice and other essentials to citizens. This initiative awaits finalization of modalities by the Federal Government.
The command highlights the necessity of stringent modalities to avert incidents like the tragic one in Lagos, where armed individuals in camouflage attempted to disrupt a distribution venue, resulting in casualties.
Recalling the previous distribution exercise initiated by the NCS under the directive of the Federal Government, the Area Controller of the Oyo/Osun Command, Ben Oramalugo, emphasized the imperative of providing affordable food amidst current shortages and soaring prices. Speaking at the command headquarters in Ibadan, Oramalugo affirmed the government’s directive to distribute seized rice at subsidized rates to alleviate Nigerians’ plight.
He assured the public of the NCS’s commitment to conducting a transparent and equitable distribution process. Eligible beneficiaries will undergo thorough screening and verification to ensure fairness and prevent abuse.
This initiative seeks to alleviate the hardship faced by many families, demonstrating the government’s dedication to ensuring access to affordable food during challenging times.