Jigawa to Expand Subsidised Food Programme to General Public

The Jigawa State Government has announced plans to expand its Danmodi Palliative Shops initiative beyond civil servants, opening the subsidised food programme to the general public as part of efforts to cushion the impact of rising food prices and the cost of living.

Governor Umar Namadi disclosed this while receiving an Award of Excellence from workers of the Danmodi Palliative Shops, who commended his administration for introducing the programme two years ago.

The governor said the initiative, which has helped thousands of civil servants access essential food items at subsidised prices, will soon be extended to other residents across the state.

According to him, the programme was introduced to ease the financial burden on workers by providing affordable food items and eliminating the need to rely on high-interest loans to feed their families.

Currently, each of the 27 local government areas has a Danmodi Palliative Shop where civil servants purchase rice, maize, beans, spaghetti and other household staples at subsidised rates.

Beneficiaries also have access to an interest-free credit facility, with repayments deducted gradually from their monthly salaries.

Governor Namadi expressed appreciation for the recognition, describing the award as an encouragement to sustain policies that improve the welfare of the people.

He added that expanding the initiative to the wider public would enable more families to benefit from affordable food and strengthen the state’s social protection efforts.

Chairman of the Danmodi Palliative Shops Initiative, Dr. Nura Dandoka, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the programme and ensuring its long-term sustainability.

Some civil servants who spoke to TVC NEWS welcomed the planned expansion but appealed to the government to establish more outlets at the ward level and in rural communities to improve access for residents living far from local government headquarters.

The Danmodi Palliative Shops scheme was launched on 23 July 2024 and currently operates across all 27 local government areas of the state, employing 56 workers.

During the ceremony, the workers also appealed to the state government to grant them permanent appointments in recognition of their contributions to the success of the programme.

The planned expansion comes at a time when many Nigerians continue to grapple with high food prices, with state governments increasingly exploring targeted interventions to make essential commodities more affordable for vulnerable households.