In a bid to provide food security and discourage importation of rice in the country, the Lagos State Government has assured Lagosians in particular and Nigerians in general of the availability of locally produced high quality and affordable Eko Rice within the next 3-6 months.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode gave the assurance during an inspection tour of the State Rice Mill at Imota, Ikorodu on Tuesday, saying that Government will overhaul and upgrade the rice mill facility to a higher standard in order to produce at an additional 10 metric tones per hour to meet up with the expectations of the state.

According to him, “You are aware that we recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kebbi State Government on rice production, the idea is to encourage consistent flow of paddy rice and put an end to rice importation. This will not stop there, we also intend to partner other State Governments who have paddy rice as well.”

“The State needs a consistent flow of raw material to meet production capacity of the Rice Mill so that the whole idea of getting rice imported from abroad will be gone forever. Government is an enabler, we are supposed to regulate and in so doing all variables required to make this rice mill a private sector initiative will commence immediately.”

Governor Ambode stressed that the Lagos Rice Mill would be restructured and the infrastructure improved upon in order to attract investment from the private investors, adding that the Mill is a major investment by the state government that cannot be underutilized.

He revealed that the intention of the present administration is to increase rice production in the state as well as give traders and major rice marketers in the country the required quality and brand of rice desired by consumers.

R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode with Special Adviser on Commerce, Hon. Adeyemi Olabinjo; Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Toyin Suarau; Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Dayo Mobereola and Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson during the Governor’s inspection of the Eko Rice Mill at the Agric Park, Imota, Ikorodu, Lagos on Tuesday, April 12, 2016.

R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left), Special Adviser on Food Security, Mr. Ganiu Okanlomo Sanni; Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Toyin Suarau; Special Adviser on Commerce, Hon. Adeyemi Olabinjo during the Governor’s inspection of the Eko Rice Mill at the Agric Park, Imota, Ikorodu, Lagos, on Tuesday, April 12, 2016.

R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Toyin Suarau; Special Adviser on Commerce, Hon. Adeyemi Olabinjo and Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, TPL. Wasiu Anifowoshe, listening with rapt attention to the Chief Engineer, Eko Rice Mill, Imota, Engr. Oladipupo Hassan, during the Governor’s inspection of the Eko Rice Mill at the Agric Park, Imota, Ikorodu, Lagos, on Tuesday, April 12, 2016.