Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has disclosed that residents of the state consume about N4.5 billion worth of food daily.
This was made known by the governor while speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day zonal sensitisation workshop with the theme: ‘Implementation of Food Systems Transformation Pathways in Nigeria 2022,’ in the state on Monday July 4.
The Governor reiterated his commitment to food security and further added that Lagos has a rich history of economic growth and transformation.
Sanwo-Olu who was represented by the Commissioner for Economic, Planning and Budget, Sam Egube at the event organised by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning in collaboration with Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Lagos Ministry of Economic, Planning and Budget, said the state has decided to take the bull by the horn in guaranteeing food security for the people with different agricultural and food value chains.
He said;
“Although it covers only 0.4 per cent of Nigeria’s territorial land mass making it the smallest in the country.
“It accounts for over 60 per cent of industrial and commercial activities. Lagos is a coastal state and has an extremely limited arable land space and is home to about 21 million people.
“Its residents consume about N4.5 billion worth of food daily and 50 per cent of beef produced in the country running into several billion in other trading activities with markets cutting across all the local government areas in the state.”
Egube noted that it was expedient for his administration with the present situation of the country to ensure food security in the state.
He added;
“Food systems are a considerable part of the national economy and have contributed significantly to many developmental issues; hence improving the food systems can influence positive changes that will address multiple challenges.”