Govs Ambode, Bagudu launch Lake Rice, bag to sell for N12,000

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Am­bode and his Kebbi State counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu yesterday launched the much an­ticipated Lagos-Kebbi Rice christened LAKE RICE, saying that the partnership which culminated into the launch was not only de­signed to ensure food secu­rity but showcase the ability of Nigeria to become a pro­ducing nation.

Speaking at the launch­ing ceremony held at Lagos House in Ikeja, Governor Ambode said the develop­ment was a great and his­toric moment for both states and Nigeria, as the rice would not only be sold at highly reduced price, compared to what obtains in the market, but is also very fresh and safe for con­sumption.
 

“Today is an historic day for Lagos and Kebbi States. In March 2016, we signed an MOU with an under­standing that we, being proudly Nigeria, we want to come out with what is made in Nigeria and what is good in Nigeria. We took all that President Muham­madu Buhari said that we need to grow our food and we decided that we will prove a point and that is what today is all about.

“LAKE RICE is of good quality. The major differ­ence between LAKE RICE and the ones imported is that the imported has a minimum shelf life of five to six years, but LAKE RICE is fresh,” the Gover­nor said.

He said the partnership would in the nearest future lead to an expansion of production of the rice, say­ing that Lagos has the larg­est consumption market.

Giving a breakdown of the prices, Governor Am­bode said that while the 50kg will sell for N12,000, 25kg would go for N6,000 and 10kg for N2,500, add­ing that for now, an indi­vidual would only be al­lowed to purchase a bag to enable it go round.

He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting the collaboration between La­gos and Kebbi, just as he disclosed that the Federal Government has donated two rice mills to the state government to increase production of rice next year.

Also speaking, Governor Bagudu, who went down memory lane of how the collaboration started with a discussion between him and Governor Ambode during a meeting in Abuja, said the partnership was a confirmation of both state governments’ commitment to the agenda of making Nigeria a big market in Af­rica.

He said while Kebbi State has comparative advantage in area of rice production, Lagos boasts of the largest consumption market, say­ing that the LAKE RICE can stand any integrity test in Nigeria.