Lagos rice hit market next week

The much expected rice food from the partnership collaboration between the Lagos and Kebbi State Governments is set for the market next week.

The staple food named ‘Lake Rice’ coined from the first two words of the names of the two states will be available from Thursday December 15 to Lagosians at N13,000 per 50 Kg. This is towards the Yuletide celebrations.

Mr Sanni Okanlawan, Special Adviser on Food Security to Gov. Akinwumi Ambode, made the disclosure in Lagos during the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) National Agriculture Stakeholders Summit.

Okanlawan said that sales of the rice would be made at all the 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state to ensure proper distribution.

“Lake Rice is the acronym of both Lagos and Kebbi States joint product which will be out to the public on Dec. 15 at the rate of N13,000 per 50kg bag as it is already subsidised by the government. “To make it more available, the rice will be sold at the 57 LGAs and LCDAs for easy accessibility and to guard against unwanted persons diverting the product.

“The state government has put in place a committee that will ensure that Lagosians have the best Christmas celebration, that is why we are offering the wholesome and well packaged rice,’’ Okanlawan said.

The special adviser also said that the state had established a Department of Agribusiness, an Agriculture Trust Fund and Commodity Exchange Market to be set up soon. The government’s efforts were in alignment with the Federal Government’s diversification drive from a mono-economy to agriculture.

Nigerians have complained bitterly about the price of Rice in recent times with 50Kg selling for as high as N30, 000 in the open market.