The Nigerian Government on Thursday, August 8, said it has suspended the planned sale of subsidised rice to civil servants.

A fresh circular issued by the Ministry of Special Duty and Inter-Governmental Affairs said it has withdrawn the circular directing civil servants interested in subsidised rice to apply.

Dated August 2, 2024, the circular was signed by the ministry’s Director of Human Resources, Aderonke Jaiyesimi.

However, Jaiyesimi did not give any reason for the withdrawal of the initial memo which had asked workers to apply for the N40,000 bags of rice.

She also did not indicate if the scheme was stopped or only suspended.

The circular read, “I am directed to refer to our internal circular in the Ministry (Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs) of August 1, 2024, on the above subject matter and to inform you that the internal circular is hereby withdrawn.

It stated that further details would be communicated to the civil servants 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,” she added.