Many Lagos residents yesterday flocked centres where the “Lake Rice” is being sold for N12,000 per bag.
Lake Rice is a product of the joint agricultural venture between Lagos and Kebbi states designed to ensure food security and showcase the country’s ability to become a rice producing nation.
The name Lake Rice is borne out of the acronym of the states with LA standing for Lagos and KE for Kebbi.
Mr Sanni Okanlawon, Special Adviser on Food Security to Governor Akinwumi Ambode, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the government was fulfiling its promise of giving residents a blissful Yuletide.
He said the price was reduced toN12,000 from N13,000 to ensure that Lagosians had access to it for an enjoyable Christmas celebration.
“We are happy to inform Lagosians that the Lake rice is out and available at the various local government areas and local council development areas.
“A 50kg bag is currently selling at N12,000 that is a huge discount considering the price of rice at retail markets. That shows how eager the state government is to give its folks the best. So, we urge everybody to go to those locations to get their bag,” Okanlawon said.
The special adviser, however, said he could not confirm the number of trailer loads at each sales point but stated that they were enough to go round.
When NAN visited the Oko-Oba, Agege sales point, two 40-foot trailers were seen loaded with the produce, while a crowd waited on the queue to buy.
A buyer, Mr Segun Esan, said he came out quickly to buy before Christmas Day.
Esan said he would prefer Lake Rice because it was fresh and made in Nigeria, adding that it is cheap compared to imported rice presently sold at N18,000 in some markets.
A teacher, Mrs Felicia Ajiroba, praised the government for the initiative, adding that the rice would ensure that residents had food during the festive period.
“When I learnt that the price of rice was N20, 000 in the market, I was worried because I felt I would not cook rice for my family during Christmas.
“It is too expensive and I cannot afford it with my meagre salary.
“The subsidised Lake Rice is comforting and a blessing to many residents of Lagos. It shows that the government is concerned about our plight,” she said.
