NIGERIA – To combat rising food costs, and mitigate post-harvest losses, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, inaugurated a state-of-the-art middle-level food agro-hub in Idi-Oro, Mushin.
The inauguration took place on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to enhance food security and affordability.
The sprawling agro-produce hub, spanning 6,400 square meters in Idi-Oro, boasts impressive features such as ample car and truck parking space, as well as centralized dry and cold storage systems.
Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed his excitement during the commissioning, describing the facility as a game-changer in Lagos’ food distribution system.
The hub is part of the state government’s broader Food System Transformation Agenda, aimed at addressing issues such as wastage, post-harvest losses, traffic congestion, and other inefficiencies that contribute to the loss of over 50 percent of agricultural produce, especially perishables.
To further support the agricultural sector, Governor Sanwo-Olu also launched a N750 million Lagos Market/Trader Money initiative.
This initiative aims to provide financial support to 15,000 traders, with each beneficiary in the initial phase receiving N50,000 from the government.
To ensure fairness in distribution, each Local Government will submit 200 names, and market association leaders, Iyaloja and Babaloja, will receive 50 slots each in every market.
Highlighting the significance of the agro-produce hub, Abisola Olusanya, the Commissioner for Agriculture, explained that its primary goal is to establish a storage facility capable of prolonging the shelf life of perishable foods.
This initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to food security and affordability.
“The essence of the hub is to have a storage facility that will make perishable foods durable. It would ensure food security and affordable pricing,” Olusanya said.
“The middle-level hub is all about ensuring that consumers can buy fresh, wholesome food at the right price in the right location, all while enjoying a wonderful shopping experience in a safe environment.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the inauguration of the Idi-Oro hub is just the beginning, with plans to construct three additional hubs at the Agege, Ajah, and Abule-ado axis of the state.
In total, the government plans to build fifty mid-level agro-produce hubs across Lagos State.
The Iyaloja of Mushin, Taibat Borokini, expressed her delight over the initiative, stating that it would significantly address the challenges faced by market men and women in Mushin and other parts of the state.
With these initiatives, Lagos State is taking proactive steps to transform its food distribution system, boost the agricultural sector, and ensure food security for its residents.
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