As we all know that promising democratic system in the Country could ever be realistic without the legislators fulfilling their obligations, which are considered as catalyst towards providing dividends of democracy to their constituents.
The Lawmaker representing Alimosho Constituency II in the ninth (9th) Lagos State House of Assembly, doubles as Chairman House Committee on Agriculture, Hon Kehinde Joseph, was earlier today on Bond FM 92.9 to talk about cogent issues related to Agriculture, Food Security in Lagos, his duties and representation so far as a Parliamentarian.
The Parliamentarian commend the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu and the Speaker of Lagos State ninth (9th) House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, for building a robust mutual correlation between the Executive and the Legislative Arms of Government in Lagos.
He made it known to the Presenter, Mr Tunji Olalekan that in the last two (2) years, the Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu Administration has put in place cogent strategies to stimulate food security in Lagos State, which mark the beginning of yielding concrete results.
“Recently, a five (5) year food security road map was launched, which help see a sustained public and private sectors’ investment in Agricultural value chains to give the State comparative advantages in the sector and enhance the self-sufficiency in food production from the current 18% up to 40% over next sixty (60) months.
“This was launched to develop an Agro-economy that would serve the twin purpose of producing sufficient food for the growing population, as well as developing a smooth-running Agricultural Sector that would truly transform the State into 21st financial hub.
“In this regards, the Lagos State Government has decided to give a boost to rice production because there’s a high demand for rice, which has accumulated in a huge gap between the supply and demand for rice. In order to redress this, the Sanwo-Olu Administration is on the verge of completing the integrated Rice Mill at Imota, in Ikorodu, which when completed, the thirty-two (32) metric-tonnes per hour mill will produce two million, four hundred thousand (2.4m) bags of 50kg rice per annum, while providing a total of 267,580 jobs at different stages of the value chains, reducing the cost of rice locally”, he said.
He reiterated that in preparation for the take off of the mill, Lagos State Government has already trained, built capacity and empowered over three thousand (3,000) Lagosians across the State, 35% of the beneficiaries are women, while 10% are people with disabilities and youths.
Kehinde Joseph made it known that in the last two years of his representation, he’d welcomed series of honest debates and discourses on his Constituency and its development, as he believe there can always be a better way to approach matters.
He made it known that his major functions as a parliamentarian is represent, legislate (i.e sponsor bills and make laws) and oversight, in which he’d been doing because the objective of representation, accountability, Constituents engagement and feedback should never be defeated.
“What we have been able to achieve is the active involvement of my Constituents in their own affairs, supporting freedom of information and feedback from them through town hall meetings and Constituency office, given financial and equipment supports to enhance MSMEs, influencing various positive opportunities; which is the only way to ensure accountability and complete representation.
“I feel obliged to stand firmly in the house and defend the interests of those I represent. More is expected from me by my Constituents. Because I do not want to fail them, I have exert a lot of energy with my team to succeed in our goals for getting development projects.
“By Thursday, August, 19, 2021, the Lagos State House of Assembly Stakeholders meeting will take place and regards to this, we’re organizing an Optic Lens with tests at AJ Hotel, KLM 5, Lasu/Igando Road, with our partners from the West on ground.
“We deem it fit for Constituents to be a partaker of this because the human eye is the organ which gives us the sense of sight, allowing us to learn more about the surrounding world than we do with any of the other four senses. The eye allows us to see and interpret the shapes, colors, and dimensions of objects in the world by processing the light they reflect or emit.
“So, we are expecting our Constituents with eye challenges to be on ground and observe the Covid-19 protocols as directed by the NCDC”, he reiterated.
He made a pledge to the Presenter towards the end of the program that he will continue to sponsors the syllabus programme as he’d been doing while as the Special Adviser to the Erstwhile Governor of Lagos State, so that the Constituents can have in-depth knowledge about the Arms of Government and who and who are their representatives be it at the Local, State or National level.
Conclusively, he assure his Constituents that their welfare remains his top priority and they continue to get his attention.
“As the custodian of your trust and mandate, I will continue to do everything within my capacity and within my resources available to me to improve on your social and economic well-being, irrespective of political affiliation and difference in ideology and opinions”, he stressed.
Reported By:
Olayiwola Rasheed Jebba Hamilton,
Head Of Media & Strategic Communication,
To Hon Kehinde Joseph,
Member, LSHA,
Alimosho Constituency II.
