The Federal Government has approved a grant of N185 billion to the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for purchase of 100,000 bags of rice and other grains to be distributed as palliatives.
Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday after the monthly meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) presided over by Vice President Shettima Kashim at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The governor also announced that five trucks of rice had earlier been made available to each of the 36 states and the FCT last week for the same purpose.
According to Zulum, the provisions are part of interventions by the Tinubu-led administration to cushion the biting effects of fuel subsidy removal and the increasing rice in food prices.
He noted that 48 percent of the N5 billion grant would be paid back to the CBN by the states within 20 months, while the balance of 52 percent would be borne by the Federal Government.
Zulum also announced that the Federal Government would soon commence the cash transfer of the $800m World Bank loan secured by the former Muhammadu Buhari administration to eligible Nigerians.
The Borno governor equally disclosed that approval had been given to NEMA to commence distrbution of food items in the seven states bordering Niger Republic in order to cater for the huge number of refugees flocking into Nigeria.