Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Saturday said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed with Kebbi State on agricultural commodity value chain was in line with the agenda of the Federal Government to diversify the economy, just as he said the pact would go a long way in ensuring food security and job opportunities for the people.

Governor Ambode spoke at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State during his official visit to the state as part of further steps to cement the agricultural partnership. He said he was totally committed to the success of the relationship as it would not only boost the economy of the two states but would increase Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Ambode said the two states, with the agreement, which is the first state-to-state relations in the country, have shown leadership, and expressed optimism that other states would soon take a cue from the relationship.

The Governor, who was given a heroic reception from Birnin Kebbi International Airport down to the Government House, said the partnership was in continuation of the relationship which had always existed between the two states in terms of politics, population and strength.

He said: “This relationship is visionary and it is also a pointer to the fact that the two states have decided to openly support the vision of Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari.

“The change mantra which President Buhari has been preaching is what this whole relationship is all about that we must look inward. We must start to reintegrate our economy in such a manner that we must not continue to import what we can produce and we must create a value chain where we have comparative advantage to do so.

“Kebbi is one of the major producers of most agricultural products in Nigeria, whereas Lagos State is the major consumer of most of these products and we have the market and the population to take on everything that is being produced and that is why the value chain in which we have tried to embellish is very important to the two states. And so we are committed to doing this for Mr. President.

“This visitation is a continuation of where we started from. We want to take the next steps and we know that the next steps are steps in the right direction.”

Ambode added that beyond collaboration on rice production, the Lagos State Government has also decided to create value chain on every other agricultural products from Kebbi State first to the people, which would in turn create jobs for the people and make the economy of Nigeria to become more vibrant thereby increasing the GDP.

On his part, Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, described the MoU as an innovative partnership that would lead the way positively for Nigeria.

He said years of policy distortion had demoralise local producers of rice and other agricultural products from competing with their foreign counterparts, which had in turn affected the economy of Nigeria negatively, but expressed optimism that the partnership between Lagos and Kebbi states will right the wrongs of the past.

He said: “I am glad that we are on track to address such issues and empower our producers to compete globally. Apart from the fact that the collaboration will bring about significant economic growth and create opportunities, it will also bring our people much closer.

“We are particularly happy that the partnership enjoys massive public support. The President, at different occasions, has publicly commended what we are doing and that is enough motivation for us to push forward with the agreement.”

The MoU principally centres on boosting the production of rice, wheat, ground nut, maize, millet, sorghum, sugar cane, cows, among others.

There is also arrangement with a Mexican firm, San Carlos Group, to expand the Rice Mill at Imota in Lagos from production capacity of 2.5 metric tonnes per hour to 22.5 metric tonnes per hour with the active participation of the private sector.

Governor Ambode, as part of the official visit, paid courtesy visits to the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Mohammed Iliya Bashar, and the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Meira.

He also inspected the Labana Rice Mill in Kebbi which has the production capacity of 16 metric tonnes per hour and the FADAMA Project Site I Argungu.

•Photo shows Governor Akinwumi Ambode being welcomed to the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, by Governor Atiku Bagudu . . . on Saturday.

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