The Lagos State Government announced it will launch a N10 billion Public\Private Partnership (PPP) Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (LACE) in Igbonla, Epe.
The announcement was made by the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, on Tuesday during a public function.
According to the Governor, the scheme is expected to create development in the state’s aquaculture industry and produce 2,000 tonnes of fish annually in a centre that would be located on a 35-hectare land.
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Governor Sanwo-Olu also noted that the state will ensure to provide support to the fish farmers through the Lagos Nucleus Farms scheme, and also serve as an off-take point for other aquaculture clusters around the state. Lagos is also planning to launch two other food production centres in Epe and Bagadry.
The Governor said apart from enabling food security, the State would promote agro-tourism in the state through the Lagos State Songhai Project in Badagry and the Agricultural Training Institute, Araga, Epe.
“The experience of the past few months during the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic has further reinforced the urgent need to expand the state’s food production base to meet such a spontaneous increase in demand for food in the future.
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“In line with this realisation, and to ensure sustained food production and supply in the state, we are establishing Lagos Food Production Centres in Badagry and Epe.
“In addition, we are establishing the Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (LACE) N10 Billion project to be located on 35 hectares of land in Igbonla in Epe under a public\private partnership arrangement,” the Governor said.
