The federal government (FG) has began the sale of 50 kg of rice for ₦40,000 in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital.

The governor of Ogun state stated that the food handout will help a number of organisations, and that includes market women groups.

This move is part of the efforts of the federal government to address the socioeconomic issues that have arisen after they put an end to subsidizing petroleum products.

At a ceremony held at the state capital's Arcade Ground to start the sale, the governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun, stated in a Channels TV report that his administration will shortly start implementing the sale of additional subsidised foodstuffs throughout the state's twenty local government regions.

According to him, the food staples such as garri, rice, and beans would be offered at heavily subsidised costs and that the scheme's deployment throughout the state would help expand the initiative's reach.

He said: “We will be selling food items like garri, rice, and beans at heavily subsidised prices.”

Governor Abiodun continued that this initiative will benefit a variety of organisations, including market women, community development associations, organised businesses, artists, trade unions, non-governmental organisations, federal and state civil servants, and traditional and religious groups.

He gave the state's residents assurances that the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Office of the Head of Service had created a well-organized template that would guarantee the commodity was distributed fairly and widely among the state's 20 local government units.

The governor announced that the sale of subsidised rice in Abeokuta, which is in the Ogun Central senatorial district, will commence immediately, followed by those in Ilaro, which is in the Ogun West senatorial district, and Ijebu-Ode, which is in the Ogun East senatorial district.

Reacting to the development, Onyinye Akpan said, "This distribution ought to be monitored to ensure it reaches those it should reach.

"If this does not benefit the poor masses, then it is of no use."