The Lagos State Government has again reiterated its commitment to ensure that Lagosians consume wholesome food by ensuring that foods transported into and across the State are done in a hygienic manner.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal gave the assurance Monday in Lagos while receiving members of the Lagos State Perishable Goods Dealers And Sellers Association of Lagos State who paid him a courtesy call in his office.
He noted that it would be irresponsible of any governments to turn a blind eye to the manner in which fruits and vegetables are being transported to and within the State.
The Commissioner explained that the State Government is interested in forming a sustainable synergy with all Stakeholders in the Agricultural sector thus Government is committed towards fashioning out, along with members of the Association, short and long term solutions to the inherent food transportation system in the State.
Prince Lawal advised members of the Fruits Sellers Association not to allow products that were transported in an unsatisfactory manner into their markets stressing that plans are in the pipeline to establish a farm produce market.
He added that Government will look at how the sector can be overseen in order to ensure productivity of the market and promised to further engage with the Association by scheduling another meeting in order to address at length issues and concerns raised during the visit.
The Commissioner who expressed his happiness with the issues raised by the Association added that this was obviously a fall out of the recent Agricultural Stakeholders’ Engagement organized by the Ministry to engage stakeholders with a view to coming up with policies that will ensure that Lagosians consume wholesome products in line with best practices.
Earlier, the Consultant to the Perishable Goods Dealers and Sellers Association of Lagos State who led the delegation, Shola Olaleye congratulated the Commissioner on his appointment and sought the intervention of the State Government in ensuring adequate space allocation to their members in the various markets across the State by the Local Government Areas(LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas(LCDAs).
While admitting the strategic important of Lagos State as a depot for most farm produces from other the States in the country, he expressed the readiness of the Association to support the State Government in ensuring the proper control of how goods are transported into the State.