In line with the persistent calls for a paradigm shift from over dependence on oil as the major earner of the country, the Lagos State Government and Kebbi State on Wednesday entered into a partnership on the establishment of a commodity value chain that will give a quantum leap to food processing, production and distribution.
The
partnership is aimed at bringing about national food sufficiency and food
security, as well as creating employment and wealth distribution for the
benefit of both states and the nation in general.
Speaking
at the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two
states held at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode
said the partnership signaled the commencement of a new beginning of
cooperation and common-sense revolution, which is line with the change mantra
of All Progressives Congress (APC) that calls for patriotism in all facets of
life.
Governor
Ambode, who said the partnership would bring an end to the era of imported rice
in the country, noted that there was no doubt about the economic prowess of the
country to produce rice locally.
“This
is the first time in the history of Nigeria that two States are collaborating
to develop their agricultural potentials. We have the economic prowess to
produce rice locally. The era of imported rice is gone. The reality is for all
of us to embrace the consumption of local foodstuff and commodities,” he said.
The
Governor acknowledged the fact that the future of Lagos is partly tied to
deliberate resolution on food security, and that food production and
self-sufficiency required immediate attention at policy and strategic levels to
sustain the country, hence the need for the partnership.
“Lagos
State is the largest consumer of food commodities in Nigeria by virtue of our
State population. We have the market, with the required purchasing power also.
Lagos State has an estimated consumption of over 798,000 metric tonnes of
milled Rice per year which is equivalent to 15.96 million of 50kg bags, with a
value of N135 billion per annum,” he said.
In
addition to rice, Governor Ambode said Lagos is presently consuming 6,000 herds
of cattle daily which may increase to 8,000 in the next 5years, adding that the
bulk of vegetables produced in the country eventually end up in the Lagos
markets.
He
added: “Lagos State is one of the largest producers of poultry and thus has a
large demand for maize for livestock feed production. The State also houses
most of the industrial users of wheat and sorghum; mostly flour mills,
bakeries, breweries and food manufacturers.
“Kebbi
State, on the other hand, is blessed with a vast arable land suitable for the
cultivation of Rice, Wheat, Ground nut, Maize, Sorghum and Sugar cane.
“It
is an agrarian State with over 1.2 million hectares of arable land
characterised by very large floodplains, lowland swamps and gentle slopes. In
the 2014 / 2015 wet season, over 600,000 Hectares of land was deployed for Rice
cultivation in the three senatorial areas of the State.
“The
people are traditionally Rice farmers with average land holding of about 10
Hectares. Presently, Kebbi has over 50,000 metric tonnes of paddy in store
produced from the last 2 planting seasons.
“With
these considerations in mind, Lagos State and Kebbi State have decided to
collaborate and exploit our areas of comparative advantage to create value for
both States. This alliance will ensure Food Security, job creation, increase in
farmers’ income and the overall improvement in the living conditions of the
residents of both states through wealth creation and poverty reduction.
“This
collaboration is in line with the clarion call and policy direction given by
the President, Muhammadu Buhari, on the need to feed ourselves,” Governor
Ambode stated.
The
joint venture between the two states, Governor Ambode explained, will be
implemented using a Special Purpose Vehicle known as LASKEB Agricultural
Production and Marketing Company (LAPMCO), adding that the major areas of focus
will be the development of commodity value chains with emphasis on Rice, Wheat,
Ground Nut, Onions, Maize/Sorghum and Beef.
Speaking
further on the agreement, Governor Ambode said: “The numerous thousands of our
market women and men can become key employers of labour as distributors of
‘Ibile Rice’. We can also brand and package rice in the names of our
distributors and market women. As a State, we shall adopt our local rice as a
State dish in all ramifications.
“The
special purpose vehicle will allow the entrance of private sector investors and
other states in expanding the rice mill at Imota, Ikorodu and other locations.
We have already designated the 100 hectare land at Imota as the Agric Park in
the State. Other locations in and outside the State will be vigorously
activated to fulfill our mission in record time.”
Also
speaking at the event, which was attended by top government functionaries,
traditional rulers and members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) from both
states, Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu thanked Governor Ambode for
providing leadership and innovation that brought about the partnership, adding
that same was in line with the effort of President Buhari and Vice President
Yemi Osinbajo to restructure Nigeria away from overdependence on oil.
Governor
Bagudu said in the world of genetically modified food, the partnership between
Lagos and Kebbi was an additional motivation to provide certainties for the
people in terms of food production and sufficiency, and that the goal is to
produce 60 to 70 percent of Nigeria’s Rice needs, and replicate same in other
food items.
He
said the agreement had the broadest public acceptance in Kebbi State, and that
the people, especially farmers in the state, are delighted to partner with
Lagos, which he described as the most entrepreneurial part of Nigeria.
He
said Lagos and Kebbi have had a long history of trade, and that the signing of
the MoU was a further way of cementing the relationship with the view to make
the people to get richer.
“Lagos
is the most entrepreneurial part of Nigeria. Lagos, if it were a country on
itself, is a country that other states will be going to establish a
relationship and so why not state to state. So, what we are doing is that we
are pioneering a collaboration that will bring other states on board later and
we believe that our potentials is enormous and we must have pacesetters to
start that process of joint collaboration for our collective good,” Governor
Bagudu said.
SIGNED
HABIB ARUNA
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
MARCH 23, 2016
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