Niger Govt. launches sale of grains at subsidised rate


The Niger Government on Tuesday inaugurated the sale of subsidised grains to residents of its 25 local government areas.
Gov. Sani Bello of Niger, who performed the inauguration in Minna, said that the grains – rice, millet and maize -- would only be sold in measurements in order to allow more people to access it and touch the lives of people at the grassroots.
Bello, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, said ``we feel the pains of our people and that is why we make it a priority to embark on the sale of 1,508 tonnes of these essential food items.
``Government has invested heavily on this project and we intend to make it a continuous exercise until the economic situation improves.’’
He, however, urged traders to review the hike in prices of other commodities to complement government’s efforts at reviving agriculture and ensuring food security.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the N200 million subsidised grains are the staples among the people of Niger.
A price survey conducted by NAN revealed that a measure of imported rice is sold between N550 and N600, while the local rice goes for between N350 and N400, while millet is sold at N120.
However, the state government’s subsidised rice sells for N300 and millet for N80 per measure. 

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