The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday flagged off the construction of the Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub in Ketu-Ereyun, Epe.
Sanwo-Olu said at the ground-breaking ceremony that the project would create wealth for five million and feed 10 million residents.
He added that the project would be located on 1.2 million square metres of land.
Sanwo-Olu said that the project to be commenced in October 2022 would be completed in October 2024.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project is carried out by the Lagos State Government in partnership with Messers Origin Project Management, African Development Fund and Providus Bank.
He said that the hub, when completed, would also provide food for at least 90 days and provide storage facilities for over 1,500 trucks per day.
Sanwo-Olu said that the project was proof of his administration’s audacity in addressing the challenges of stakeholders in the agri-space and giving hope to the people through improved quality of life.
The governor listed the components of the project to include aggregation/storage facilities, administrative offices, trading/brokering facilities, packaging facilities.
Other components are processing facilities, cold chain/dry goods services, logistics services/ trailer park, water treatment plant, health centre, fuel station/ fire station and abattoir and lairage.
“As a testament to our commitment to deliver, today, we are flagging off the construction of Africa’s largest food Logistics Park – The Lagos Central Food security systems and Logistics hub.
“As the commercial capital of Africa’s most populous country with over 24 million people, every inch of space in Lagos, including lagoons and creeks, is keenly contested for.
“Space is an enormous asset to the state and local governments, traditional rulers, and numerous other stakeholders. Given its limited land mass being the smallest in Nigeria,
“It will provide storage facilities for more than 1,500 trucks per day, service the needs of thousands of operators per annum and process large commercial transactions.
“The objectives of the project as to build a modern central food logistics system with facilities for major food processing, storage and distribution for the state.
“It will eliminate more than 50 per cent waste along the value chains from the farm gate, transportation, storage and food market,” he said.