Fidelia Okafor.

The much awaited Lagos-Kebbi rice known as ‘Lake Rice’ has been launched by the Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and the Kebbi State governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu yesterday at the Lagos House in Ikeja .

Speaking at the event, Ambode said the development was to showcase Nigeria as a producing nation and also reduce the price of rice sold at the market. He assured that the rice was fresh and safe for consumption.

‘Today is a historic day for Lagos and Kebbi States. In March 2016, we signed an MoU with an understanding that we being proudly Nigeria, we want to come out with what is made in Nigeria and what is good in Nigeria. We took all that President Muhammadu Buhari said that we need to grow our food and we decided that we will prove a point and that is what today is all about’.

‘Lake Rice is of good quality. The major difference between Lake Rice and the ones imported is that the imported has a minimum storage of five to six years storage life span but Lake Rice is fresh’, Gov. Ambode said.

He also gave a breakdown of the prices saying that the 50kg would sell for N12,000, 25kg would sell at N6,000 and 10kg for N2,500.

He also commended the efforts of President Buhari for supporting the collaboration between both states and he also disclosed that the federal government has donated two rice mills to the State Government to increase rice production next year.

Governor Bagudu also affirmed the quality of the rice and spoke of the comparative advantage of rice production in Kebbi State and the large consumption market of Lagos State.

The Special Adviser to Governor Ambode said the rice would be available for sale at the LSADA Farm Service Centre, Oko-Baba in Agege, LAISA in Ojo, Coconut House in Mowo, Farm Service Centre, Marina and Ikeja Grammar School, Oshodi.