Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems and Food Systems, has begun construction work on the Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence Project, a trailblazing initiative that will reinforce the state’s food security strategy at Igbonla, Eredo, Epe.
The site visit, which was to monitor the extent of work done so far since work officially commenced, was led by the Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Emmanuel Audu, and major stakeholders of the Project.
The Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (LACE) Project is a Private Public Partnership between the Lagos State Government and Dula Agro-Services Limited, located on 35 Hectares of land in Igbonla axis of Epe Local Government.
This project is a new era for Aquaculture in Lagos State because it aims at revolutionizing the aquaculture sector in Lagos State by boosting fish production, creating jobs, and enhancing food security. With a projected capacity of about 50 million fish fingerlings annually, it will equally supply 5,000 smallholder farms, significantly contributing to the state’s food security.
The key features of the Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence Project are a 50 million fish fingerlings hatchery 24,000-tonne feed mill, and a 20,000-tonne fish processing centre is the first of its kind not only in Lagos but the country at Large.
Speaking at the centre during site inspection, the Commissioner for Agriculture & Food Systems said ‘We are excited to see the commencement of work at the Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence. This project will transform the aquaculture sector, create jobs, and improve food security in our state, this will drastically boost fish production in Lagos, being an aquatic state.’
She further explained it will be a One Stop Centre for all fish farmers in the State as Production processes are enhanced, it will create over 1,000 direct or indirect jobs, reduce price of fish and boost the economy.
