The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, has flagged off the sales of rice, millet and maize to residents at a subsidised rate procured by the Sokoto government at the cost of N9.07bn.
Flagging off the programme in Bodinga local government, Bagudu commended Governor Aliyu for initiating what he described as a timely and people-oriented intervention.
He noted that making essential food commodities available at affordable prices was critical to food security and the wellbeing of citizens.
The minister stressed that food security went beyond production to include distribution, marketing and affordability.
He explained that food security was a shared responsibility of the three tiers of government, with the federal, state and local governments having important roles to play.
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Bagudu noted that global developments, including international conflicts, fluctuations in energy and fertiliser prices, trade tensions and domestic economic reforms, had continued to put pressure on food production, distribution and prices.
According to him, the approach demonstrates the important role of government in balancing support for food production and trade with the need to protect consumers from rising prices.
Bagudu further praised Governor Aliyu and the state APC leader, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, for their contributions to national development and unity, as well as their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Speaking at the event, the Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, said the intervention was designed to cushion the effects of economic hardship, reduce the burden of rising food prices and make essential commodities more affordable and accessible, particularly to low-income and vulnerable households.
He said under the programme, a bag of rice procured by the state government at N53,375 would be sold to residents for N30,000, representing a subsidy of N23,375 per bag.
He added that bags of millet and maize procured at N43,625 each would be sold for N25,000, representing a subsidy of N18,625 per bag.
The governor explained that upon completion of the exercise, the state government was expected to recover approximately N4.539 billion, representing 50 per cent of the total procurement cost, while the remaining N4.539 billion would constitute the subsidy borne by the government.
Aliyu stressed that the programme had been carefully designed to support residents across 23 local government areas.
