Each State And The FCT Have Received 20 Trucks Of Rice For Distribution To Ease The Food Shortage-FG

In a bid to alleviate the prevailing food shortage across the country, the federal government has dispatched 20 trailer loads of 25kg rice to each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to the report by Arise News on Monday, this was disclosed by the Information and National Orientation Minister, Mohammed Idris, during a press briefing after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja.

The Minister said that the rice is intended for distribution to the most vulnerable segments of society, aimed at easing the food shortage.

He said, “Each state of the federation and the FCT have received 20 trucks of rice for onward distribution to the most vulnerable to ease the food shortage being experienced.”

Additionally, the Minister revealed that the government has scheduled a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and labour leaders on Thursday to finalize discussions on the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

This meeting came following a previous one that was held last week.

In another development, he also said that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted its visa ban on Nigerian passport holders, effective July 15, 2024. He said that this came after negotiations between the Nigerian and UAE governments.

With this agreement, Nigerian passport holders will now be able to obtain visas to travel to the UAE.

The UAE had imposed a blanket visa ban on Nigerians in October 2022, and Emirates Airlines suspended flight operations to Nigeria in November of the same year.

The Minister said, “You are aware that Nigeria has been discussing with the Arab United Emirates on the issue of visa for Nigerian passport holders going to the United Arab Emirates.

“Today, an agreement has been reached on that, and effective from today, 15th July, Nigerian passport holders are able to obtain to go to the United Arab Emirates……See_More