By Lukman Olabiyi
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced that the Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Park, along with the 500-bed psychiatric hospital being built in Epe, will be completed next year.
During a working visit to the project sites, Sanwo-Olu shared that the Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Park will be ready by the second quarter of 2024, while the psychiatric hospital is expected to be finished by the fourth quarter of next year.
The food hub, which was conceived five years ago, aims to address food insecurity by establishing Lagos as a major food logistics centre.
Sanwo-Olu explained that the disruption in global food supply chains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for Lagos to secure its own food supply.
The hub, located on over 230 hectares of land, will be the largest food logistics facility in sub-Saharan Africa, featuring extensive cold and dry chain storage.
Sanwo-Olu said: “This project was envisioned five years ago when we said the minimum we can do, even if we are not an agro-producing state, is to have our destiny in our hands. COVID-19 that happened in 2020 taught us a lesson because it was during that time we saw a global disruption in the logistics chain of food. You remember, at that time, if you didn’t have anything in your house, you continued to pray to God.”
“Even after we saw global disruption, that is when we came up with a plan that Lagos should be a very large-scale food logistics hub to protect itself from food insecurity. We did mention at that time that food is security, and it is becoming as important, and even a normal threat, to life’s security. We can see that indeed that move we made three years ago is on the right course.”
“The largest food logistics hub in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa is here. It is on over 230 hectares of land, about five thousand square metres. It is going to be the largest and biggest cold and dry chain storage.”
The 500-bed psychiatric hospital will significantly enhance mental healthcare services in the region. The facility is part of the Lagos State Mental Health Institute and Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centre located in Ketu Ejinrin, near the food hub.
The first phase of the project, which is 50% complete, will provide accommodations, consultation rooms, dormitories, and staff residences.
The hospital, which occupies 25 hectares, will offer psychotherapy, psycho-rehabilitation, and a serene environment for patients.
Phase two will expand the facility with additional accommodations for patients in need of rehabilitation services.
Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence that the projects would be completed within the next 12 months, highlighting the impressive progress made by the contractors.