A resident of Lagos State, Felix Adebola, has berated Lagos State Government led by Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu over its new partnership agreement with its northern counterpart, Niger State for the production of food for Lagos.
For those who don’t know, the Lagos State Government on Wednesday, March 6th, 2024 brokered a strategic partnership with Niger State a sub national entity with the largest agricultural farmland in the country towards enhancing food production and security
However, reacting to the development, Adebola who is a practitioner in marketing and communication, said; “How do we describe this now? Can we describe this as a novel initiative? I say No! Lagos can do better than this pact with Niger State. This pact is an admittance that Lagos cannot or does not have the competitive strength to produce what she can eat.”
“Agree, Lagos is an aquatic state. Even then, it is not enough reason to conscript Lagos as a state that does not have the capacity to invest in farm production and feed its people. With the expanse of water around Lagos, Lagos state has the capacity to invest in fisheries.”
“Lagos has the potential and capacity to develop its aquatic splendour for fish production and conveniently, can be the hub for fish production for the SW. The question is, has Lagos state any plan and policy to this effect? I doubt it.”
“Much as one agreed Lagos is a land locked with water. I refuse to see it as a weakness not to be in competition with other states in crop production. Take a drive from Ikorodu to Mowe, en route Ibadan, from Ikorodu to Sagamu, etc. We have an expanse of land which can be developed and cultivated as farm settlement.”
“Lagos State can even go into synergy with the neighbouring SW States for farm settlement in the SW. Lagos can conveniently create mechanised farm settlement in those areas.”
“Clear all those area boys and the agberos in garages, settle them in the farms and let them tilt the land. What is Niger State doing that is so difficult for Lagos State to do such that we have to sight a pact with them to produce food for Lagos? I think this is shameful ro Lagos. State.”
“Niger state simply invests in agriculture, subsidising all farm machineries, seeds and all the other farm variables as motivation for its people to invest in agriculture . Lagos can do similarly . Inadequate land should not be an excuse. There are arable lands along the borders of Lagos the government can acquire, develop and produce the same farm produce she is asking Niger State to do for Lagos. This pact with Niger state is an indication and an acceptance by the Gov that Lagos State govt lacks ideas on how to feed its people.”
“I remember Lagos State had a similar pact with Kebbi State on rice production. What happened to the pact and even the rice? This is a faulty arrangement.”
Another resident, Mr Popoola also echoes a similar position; “Lagos State should allow farmers (individually or groups or states) to assess Lagos markets on their own. Signing an agreement with any State is not really the solution to food security in Lagos State. Lagos should have improved on rural infrastructure, stop multiple taxes, put an end to the excesses of touts which are being encouraged by the Local Governments, stop security personnel demands on agricultural goods and encourage urban farming/agriculture as being practiced in major cities of the world.”
“They can start urban agriculture with their civil servants (now working from home, at least one day in a week) to show the seriousness of their actions.”