Ogun government set to sell rice to workers and residents at 50% discount.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has said that his administration would immediately begin the sale of rice to residents of the state at half the cost of the commodity to cushion the effect of the prevalent economic hardship.
The governor said that the sale of the commodity would begin with public servants across the board, adding that it is the aspiration of his administration to return the purchasing power of public servants.
He spoke during the Special Iftar (Breaking of Fast) organised for the League of Imams and Alfas in the state at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta: “We have decided to commence the sale of rice at the rate of 50 percent of the actual price. We are going to commence with our civil servants. All our public servants across the board will buy rice at half the price.
“What is the reason behind selling to them? What we are trying to do is put them in the position they were in before the inflation. The purchasing power that they seem to have lost because of inflation, we are putting them back in that position,” he said.
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The governor emphasized the establishment of a dedicated committee tasked with supervising the sale of the commodity to residents. He underscored that offering a 50 per cent discount would not only benefit the people but also facilitate his administration in procuring additional supplies to meet the needs of the populace.
“We have set up a committee. That committee has come up with the modalities on how we will sell the grain, so there won’t be issues.
“For residents who can’t afford to buy, those we call the poor, the elderly, and the vulnerable, we will be giving them the rice free of charge,” the governor added.
Mr. Abiodun urged the Muslim faithful to continue living a holy life even after fasting. He urged them to continue praying for themselves, the state, and the country.
The governor told the gathering that he would fulfil his promise to build a befitting secretariat for the League of Imams and Alfas, adding that the secretariat, when completed, would become the envy of other states.
He also noted that Nigerians will soon start enjoying the dividends of the President Tinubu-led administration with the gradual fall of the dollar, calling for more prayers for the president to succeed in his assignment.
In reflecting on the divine nature, the governor described God as deliberate, highlighting the synchronicity of both Lent and Ramadan occurring simultaneously. He observed this convergence as a testament to a divine plan, affording both Christians and Muslims the opportunity to collectively seek God’s mercy and blessings upon the nation.
Earlier, the Secretary of the League of Imams and Alfas, Tajudeen Adewunmi, commended Mr. Abiodun for empowering eight Muslim youths monthly. He said the governor was a good person who doesn’t use his office to inflict pain on the people.
Special prayers were extended for the auspicious occasion of President Tinubu’s 72nd birthday celebration, scheduled for the 29th of March. The governor was also honoured with the title of Ambassador of Peace in Islam, further enhancing the significance and solemnity of the gathering.