Lawmakers call for agric improvement

By EBUN SESSOU

As part of efforts to prevent food shortage in years to come, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly has called on Ministry of Agricultural & Co-operative to ensure adequate improvement in agricultural production for sustainability of Nigerians, especially Lagosians in 2013.

The call came on the floor of the House when 2013 budget was being reviewed by legislators. While letting his voice, the Chairman, Committee on Agric Co-operative and Rural Development Hon. Ibrahim Layode observed that the State is likely to experience food shortage if nothing is done to avert the problem.

According to him, “Agriculture is the only sector that can sustain the State populace”.

Adding that the only way the country can escape this imminent problem is for government of the day to raise up to its responsibility.

The legislators also called free from diseases even as the festive period is approaching. slaughtering slab is hygienic and free from diseases.

He noted that the State Government has also put some proactive measures in place to increase food production in 2013 therefore adding that all units and agencies under the Ministry should live up to their civic responsibilities.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and co-operatives, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal explained that the State Government had acquired 500 hecters of land in Ogun State while another 20,000 metric tons of rice farm to increase food production in 2013 has began operation.

The Commissioner further stated that presently, the State Government purchased additional 200 refrigerated meat van to reduce the burden of meat transportation in the State.

The State Government through his Ministry is considering comprehensive review of law on live stock in general”.

Contributing, a member of the Committee, Hon. Abdul Baq Balogun enjoined the Ministry to improve on revenue generation saying that this would increase food capacity for the state.