In order to stop hoarders and profiteers from making a killing off
its rice, LAKE Rice, the Lagos State government has adopted a
one-bag-per-person policy in the sale of the rice so it could go round, the Punch is reporting.
Akinwunmi Ambode, while inaugurating the rice along with his Kebbi
State counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on
Wednesday said the production of the rice was designed to ensure food
security and showcase the ability of Nigeria to become a producing
nation.
“Today is a historic day for Lagos and Kebbi states.
In March 2016, we came together with an understanding that we want to
come out with what is made in Nigeria. This partnership will, in the
nearest future, lead to an expansion of production of the rice.
the 50 kilogrammes of LAKE Rice will sell for N12,000, 25kg will go for
N6,000 and 10kg for N2,500. For now, an individual will only be allowed
to purchase a bag to enable it to go round.”
He
said he was thankful for the support the collaboration between Lagos
State and Kebbe State received from President Muhammadu Buhari. He said
the Federal Government has donated two rice mills to the states to
increase the production of rice next year.
On
his part, Bagudu said the partnership confirmed the commitment of both
state governments to making Nigeria a big market in Africa.
He said the production was a synergy between Kebbi’s production capacity and Lagos’ large market.
“I am proud of this joint venture. We can do more with other commodities like cocoa, soya beans and sorghum,” Bagudu said.
Earlier,
the Special Adviser to the Governor on Food Security, Ganiyu Sanni,
said the rice would be collected after payment at designated banks or
through Point Of Service payment.
Sanni said the rice would be
available for collection in Lagos East Senatorial District at the
Odogunyan Farm Service Centre in Ikorodu, Temu Farm Service Centre in
Epe, Naforiji Town Hall in Eredo, Magbon Alade School in Ibeju and SUBEB
premises in Maryland.
He said in Lagos West, collection points
were at LSADA Farm Service Centre, Oko-Baba in Agege, LAISA in Ojo,
Coconut House in Mowo, Farm Service Centre, Marina, in Badagry and Ikeja
Grammar School in Oshodi.
In Lagos Central, he said buyers can
collect the rice at Agric Area Office in Ajah, LASTMA Works Yard in
Adeniji/Freeman, Lagos Island, Alakoto Senior High School, Tolu in
Ajegunle, Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere and Mobolaji Johnson Sports
Centre (Rowe Park) in Yaba.
He said, “We are about 22 million
people in Lagos State and we believe there is a need for the government
to make sure that every individual is given the opportunity to buy the
rice as promised earlier so that at this time of the Yuletide, everybody
can have opportunity to buy because the prices of the rice elsewhere
are exorbitant.”
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