Lagos State government has said it would boost food security, across the state and also enhance the supply of wholesome beef, saying strategic plans are being developed and implemented to bridge the annual 1.380 million deficit in red meat consumption.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Olatokunbo Emokpae disclosed this in her address at a workshop organised by the state government, in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, on the Technical Cooperation Facility Project Feasibility and Value Chain Analysis of the Red Meat Value Chain, particularly the Cattle Feedlot Estate in Lagos.
Emokpae said the workshop was aimed at exposing investors to the investment opportunities available in the Ministry’s Feedlot Estate Project which span cattle production, processing, logistics, beef marketing and distribution, among others.
She added that the workshop was also targeted at identifying the project capacity needs, evaluating environmental issues that could arise during its implementation and proffering solutions to mitigate them.
She explained that in view of the inherent economic potential of cattle production, and the need to enhance the supply of wholesome beef in Lagos, and by extension contribute to the attainment of the state’s food security agenda, the administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has established a Cattle Feedlot project for which a 750Ha parcel of land was acquired at Igbodu, Epe.
So far, Emokpae said, a total of 250Ha has been cleared and parcelled into lots of 5Ha each for allocation to investors, adding that the feedlot project will also facilitate beef traceability among many other health benefits for Lagosians, generate income for investors, create jobs and stimulate economic activities within the project community.
While calling on all development partners and investors to join the state in actualising the dream of making Lagos food-secured, Emokpae said, aside from the feedlot project, opportunities also exist in other areas of the red meat value chain of which investors can take advantage and make good returns on investment.
These she said include the establishment of 18 semi-mechanised and eight mechanised abattoirs established in various locations across the state.
….. Intensifies Sensitisation On Community Electrification Programme
The Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has intensified sensitization on its community electrification programme, organising a stakeholders’ engagement in Alimosho Local Government Area of the state in continuation of the state government’s efforts to ensure adequate power supply to its residents through various interventions.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ms. Sholabomi Mosunmola Shasore, said the meeting was organised in line with the inclusive policy of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who believes that the contributions of every resident in the state are essential to achieve the Greater Lagos vision.
According to her, the Light Up Lagos Community Electrification Programme is an initiative of the present administration aimed at unlocking electricity distribution, transmission and metering infrastructure to deliver reliable power supply to high-impact, high-population, low-income communities in Lagos.
She pointed out that the pilot implementation of the Power Infrastructure upgrade at target communities is being concluded at Alimosho, Orelope and Okunola; Agege, Oko-Oba and Abattoir as well as in Ajah, Eleko, Magbon and Ibeju Lekki.
“This initiative was borne out of the desire of the State Government to improve the standard of living of Lagos residents, contribute to their economic activities; increase in productivity; job creation and ultimately boost the businesses of small and medium scale enterprises including artisans who rely primarily on electricity for the survival of their businesses, as well improve the overall wellbeing of all residents in the state”, she added.
While informing that the expected impact is to improve power supply (up to 20 hours) to target communities and create a catalyst for further investment across low-income communities in the state, Shasore explained that a total number of 8,613 service addresses connected to the feeders being installed will benefit from the improved supply covering almost 10,000 households.
“While the state government had intervened in the functionality of electricity supply to various communities within Alimosho as a whole, the Sanwo-Olu administration is now taking it a step further by engaging with residents who are the critical stakeholders in this power intervention. Your participation is required to ensure that you reap the benefits of this Power Infrastructure upgrade.
“With this engagement, the state government seeks to ensure that you know your role in realising the goal of this intervention and look out and protect the infrastructure as your own. I implore the leadership of relevant CDAs, who are direct beneficiaries of this power project, to take ownership of this electrification infrastructure and protect it against vandals”, she said.
The Permanent Secretary stressed the importance of prompt payment of electricity bills, protection against energy theft, discouragement of meter bypassing and other illegal acts that might jeopardise the overall intention of the state government to improve power supply to Alimosho and its environs.
She explained that the developments in the power sector with the recent amendment of the Power provision in the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 are indicative that great things are to come with regard to power and Lagos State is at the forefront.
Shasore added that the electricity infrastructure that has been put in place in the communities will guarantee reliable power supply as incidents of power failure, faulty transformers, cables, high and low electric current and inadequate electricity poles among others have been fully addressed.
“It is worthy to note that Alimosho Local Government and its environs have always been identified as an integral part of the Greater Lagos Rising project under the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and as such it is set to enjoy more dividends of democracy and good governance going forward”, she said.
