The Federal Government has withdrawn the circular directing civil servants to register for the purchase of N50kg bag of rice at a subsidised rate of N40,000.

The withdrawal of the circular was communicated in another circular by the Director of Human Resources at the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Aderonke Jaiyesimi.

The internal circular, dated August 2, 2024 and sighted by our correspondent on Thursday, was addressed to all directors and heads of departments.

Jaiyesimi said, “I am directed to refer to our internal circular in the Ministry (Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs) of late August 2024 on the above subject matter and to inform you that the internal circular is hereby withdrawn. Further details will be communicated in due course.

“Please bring the contents of this internal circular to the attention of staff in your respective departments and units for their information and proper guidance.”

Earlier, the ministry had invited all civil servants interested in purchasing the Federal Government’s subsidised rice to register by completing a Google form on the OHCSF website and submit it to the director of human resources for endorsement.

It noted that payment for and the distribution of the rice would be coordinated by designated offices while the Chairman, Joint Union Council of the ministry, would serve as an observer for transparency in the course of the exercise.

The Federal Government had recently said it had created centres across the country where Nigerians could purchase 50kg bags of rice for N40,000.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, said the initiative was one of several initiatives by the Tinubu administration to ease living conditions for citizens.

PUNCH