By Dipo Olowookere
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has signed an agreement with a leading rice-mill producer in the world based in Switzerland, Bühler AG, for the acquisition of a 32 tonnes per hour Rice Mill to be located in Imota, Ikorodu and requiring 32,000 hectares of land for cultivation of rice paddy.
The deal was signed on Friday in Zurich, Switzerland, where the Governor led a team of the State Executive Committee members to.
Mr Ambode, who spoke shortly after the signing ceremony, said the development was in furtherance of his vision of enhancing food security and creating employment in the state.
It is estimated that the partnership would facilitate the creation of about 200,000 jobs across the agriculture value chain, while it would also bring about the cultivation of 32,000 hectares of farm land to produce rice paddy, equating to an estimated 130million Kg of processed rice per year (an equivalent of 2.6milion 50kg bags of rice).
Speaking further, Governor Ambode said the landmark event also provides the platform for the State to partner with other South West States in consonance with the region’s resolve towards achieving economic integration.
The Governor emphasized that the partnership with Buhler was in sync with his administration’s economic agenda of diversification of the nation’s economy and conservation of foreign currency reserve.
“The state of the art rice mill will be sited in Imota, Ikorodu and it requires 32,000 hectares of land for cultivation of rice paddy. This investment is expected to create thousands of jobs in rice value chain. In addition to the current arrangement with Kebbi State, Lagos would go into partnership with neighbouring states, to ensure sustainable inputs for the mill and foster regional economic integration,” Governor Ambode said.
According to the agreement, the partnership with Buhler covers supplies and installation of the rice mill, including silos. It also covers maintenance and technical support as well as technical training of Nigerians in the ever growing sub-sector of the Nigerian economy.
The rice mill will be the single largest mill of its kind in Nigeria and is expected to be delivered within twelve months.
Aside Governor Ambode, other members of the State’s delegation included the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akinyemi Ashade; Special Adviser to the Governor on Overseas Affairs & Investment, Professor Ademola Abass; Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Suarau Oluwatoyin; and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Olayiwole Onasanya.
