Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
November 05, 2015 – Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has called on prospective investors to take advantage of the wetland in the state as well as 1,500 hectares reserved for tropical hard woods to invest in water hyacinth recycling, fisheries, fish farm estate and arable crop estates.
Ambode who was delivering a lecture at the 4th European Union-Nigeria Business Forum advised investors to also show interest in rice processing mill, livestock, forestry, agricultural equipment and human capacity development in agriculture.
He however said that for the sector to achieve its full potentials, the task could not be left to the government alone, stressing that it would require private sector capital, entrepreneurial approach, innovativeness and managerial efficiency as well as the critical role of international partners and investors into the sector.
He said the agribusiness sector remains one of the most viable areas that the Federal as well as State Governments must begin to pay serious attention to boost its revenue generation in the wake of dwindling oil prices.
To this end, he said the agricultural sector serves as a ready alternative source of revenue generation not only to government but also to individuals and private organizations through the various agro allied value chains.
He commended the organisers for the theme of this year’s forum, “Unlocking Opportunities for Diversification”, saying it was apt as it would afford participants focus on addressing the obstacles to the effective development of the agricultural value chain.
“The EU’s relationship with Nigeria is significant not only because Europe remains the top destination for Nigeria’s oil and non-oil exports, but also because the region accounts for nearly one-third of Nigeria’s total trade. The statistics speak for themselves”, he said.
Ambode said the state government on its part, recognizes the importance of the agricultural sector in wealth and job creation as well as in growing the economy of the state and has thus made the sector one of its cardinal programmes.
He assured that the his administration will continue to build on the policies put in place by the previous administration to enhance rapid development in the sector, adding that so far, the government has energized the Agriculture Land Holding Authority (ALHA), to make more land readily available for Agricultural development.
