Lagos engages rice processing firm to manage new mill

A private firm will manage the Lagos State-owned 32-metric tons per hour Rice Mill in Imota, Ikorodu,

This was revealed on Wednesday at a ceremony presided by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during which the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with WACOT Rice Limited, a subsidiary of TGI Group.

The firm will provide operational support and manage the soon-to-be inaugurated mill for nine months in the first instance. The partnership is subject to renewal subsequently.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, said, “The privatisation of the rice mill’s operations is to ensure efficiency in the output of the facility. This idea was initiated in 2019 when the government started discussion with the firm.”

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture (Rice Initiative), Dr Rotimi Fashola, said Sanwo-Olu believed the mill would be optimised if it had a respectable private brand behind it and a technical support team that could provide intervention towards making the mill sustainable and functional.

He said, “There is a need for the government to put the rice mill on the path of sustainability and give it to a handling that will project quality. We sourced to have a partnership in rice production business that has a stable brand and eye for efficiency. This brings forth this Joint Venture and technical support agreement with WACOT.

“In Nigeria today, this is a brand consumers want to purchase in the market. We are delighted that we are able to bring WACOT to the table for technical support, managerial and quality assurance skills. The partnership agreement being signed today will be for nine months in the first instance and subsequently can be renewed.”

The Group Managing Director of TGI Group, Rahul Savara, said Lagos Government found a great partner in the firm, pledging that the company would be deploying standard technology and services in managing the rice mill.

He said the private firm shared the Sanwo-Olu administration’s conviction to meet high demand for rice and make Lagos self-sufficient in rice production and processing.