Lagos: Lagos State has inaugurated about 150 40-feet trucks to ease food logistics in and out of the state. The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, inaugurated the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered trucks at the launch of the N500 billion ‘Produce for Lagos’ Offtake Guarantee Fund and Programme.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the trucks are intended to transport food from across the country to Lagos, aiming to reduce post-harvest losses. Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted that this initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to enhance food security in Nigeria.
“Lagos is Nigeria’s food market and we consume over 50 per cent of the food that is traded in the Southwest part of the country,” Sanwo-Olu stated. He noted that Lagos has a food economy valued at over N6 trillion but loses 50 per cent of its food due to inadequate storage and transportation systems. The governor emphasized the necessity of organizing the state’s food systems to adequately feed its population.
The ‘Produce for Lagos’ programme is designed to create logistics support and directly connect to Lagos’s dynamic food economy through the Lagos State Food Systems Infrastructure Company. The introduction of Ecolog logistics trucks is a pivotal part of this effort.
Sanwo-Olu mentioned that the trucks would facilitate a new agriculture ecosystem by ensuring efficient food transportation. The CNG-powered trucks can travel across the country on a full tank and return to Lagos without needing to refuel, which he described as a significant innovation for both the state and the nation.
Moreover, the governor pointed out that the N500 billion initiative is just a starting point, with growing interest from the private sector. He expressed optimism that the new agricultural ecosystem will meet current and future demands, supported by focused policies and a sustainable financial model.
