Mr Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has again reaffirmed that he is focused on completing the ongoing rice mill project in the Imota Local Council Development Area of the state adding that it will be completed in the first quarter of 2019.
Ambode, who made the promise at an inspection tour of major projects in the Ikorodu, Imota and Agbowa areas by members of the Lagos State Executive Council, described the project as the largest rice mill in sub-Saharan Africa.
The governor, who was represented by Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Adebowale Akinsanya, said the rice mill project was part of the efforts of his administration to ensure food sufficiency in the state.
He added that the project would give a quantum leap to economic integration of the South-West as the land to be cultivated and rice paddy for the mill would be supplied largely by farmers from the region.
Ambode said, “The key takeaway from here is that the construction of the rice mill and the industrial park, among other complementing facilities, is going on as planned. The administrative building, the restaurant, fire station, power station and other facilities needed to support the park and the rice mill are all ongoing.
“The mill is part of the food security strategies of this administration as well as South-West integration efforts. It will be the largest rice mill not only in Nigeria but also in sub Saharan Africa.
“Already, we have commitment from the contractors working on the project that it would be delivered by January 2019 and the rice mill that will be the food engine of the South-West would begin production by February.”
The governor said the first phase of the Imota regional foodstuffs market, which would accommodate about 1,500 shops, was already at 75 per cent completion stage, adding that the second phase would be delivered before the end of the year.
“The second phase comprises facilities such as concretised roads, fire stations, drainage channels, sewage system, power stations, sewage treatment, a 1000-capacity car park, over 100-capacity trailer park, bus layby, among others,” he added.
Credit: punchng.com
