The Lagos State Government has given reasons to sell rice, vegetable oil, and other food items directly to consumers starting this Yuletide season.
The state government, through the Lagos State Agricultural Inputs Supply Authority (LAISA) has started selling these foods at reduced prices to the citizens to avoid overcharging during the yuletide period.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), this was announced by the assistant general manager, commercial, LAISA, Jide Ajenifuja, on Tuesday in Lagos.
Ajenifuja said the sale was aimed at stabilizing market prices and not taking away businesses from traders in the market.
Except to avoid hiding: Ajenifuja said,
- “In agribusiness, once the government comes up with the price, suppliers and those hoarding rice want to raise the price.
- “In Abuja today, a bag of rice costs N50,000 and above. Now, the state government says that a bag of rice is N37,000; we know that Christmas and elections are approaching; therefore, no one wants to keep it more than necessary.
- “High grain local rice costs N37,000 per 50kg bag, three liters of Soya bean Oil costs N5,000 while one liter of Soya bean sells for N1,900.”
Valid until 2023: The assistant general manager said that there are enough products in stock and that LAISA will buy more products with the funds.
He added that the commodities will be available until 2023 because of the elections, adding that the agency started selling these foods in Oko-Oba, Agege, on Monday.
- He said, “We want to create awareness that people can buy rice and oil for the festive season at our office.
- “People have already started making orders, and we will start delivering them from Wednesday.”
However, Ajenifuja pointed out that the price of agricultural commodities fluctuates due to inflation and other crises around the world.
- He added, “Last year, we sold rice between N24,000 and N26,000; even earlier this year, we sold rice worth N28,000. But now, it is N37,000 per 50kg.
- “Prices of agricultural commodities fluctuate. Fertilizer, for example, sells for N7,000 between February and March, but it goes up to N27,000 in June and July.
- “We know there is a food crisis coming. It has started happening in Egypt, Kenya, and other developed countries, then Nigeria. We need to assure Lagos about food security because we are at the bottom.”
Ajenifuja said the agency has 7 centers across the state with branches in Epe, Ikorodu, Badagry, Ojo, Oko-Oba, and Ajah.
For the ketchup: Recall that a few days ago, Nairametrics reported that LAISA announced the commencement of the sale of rice and soy vegetable oil to interested buyers.
The general manager of LAISA, Mr. Bolaji Balogun while speaking at the agency’s activities, said the sale took place at the New Service Farm Oko-Oba Center, Gengeto Bus stop, Abeokuta Road, Lagos.
He further revealed that there is a large amount of 50kg of rice and cartons of soya vegetable oil of 1-3 liters available at affordable prices to meet the needs of residents who are preparing for the festive season.