Amarachi Okeh, Deborah Sanusi, Naomi Chima
Lagos State Government has kick-started the initiative tagged ‘Ounje Eko’ Food Markets and began the sales of food items at discounted prices in the five divisions of the state on Sunday, March 17 to cushion the economic hardship on residents
This was made known in a statement on Friday by the state Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.
According to him, the markets would offer Lagosians a 25 per cent discount on staple food items like rice, beans, garri, bread, eggs, tomatoes, and pepper.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that Sanwo-Olu, on February 22, during a live media chat explained that the ‘Sunday Markets’ initiative was aimed at cushioning the effect of the high cost of living being experienced across the country.
He said the food markets would operate exclusively on Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm across 57 locations in the state.
The statement partly read, “To prevent sharp practices and ensure the foodstuff reaches a large number of Lagosians, a voucher system will be introduced as the pilot scheme kicks off.
“Independent payment solution providers and food vendors have been identified and carefully selected to operate the process. They will also provide real-time data on the exercise for monitoring.”
Infographics provided by the commissioner revealed that the markets would be opened at 27 locations in Ikeja, six in Lagos Island, nine in Ikorodu, five in Epe, and 10 in Badagry.
It also provided the prices of the food items with a 5kg bag of rice to sell for N5,325, while 1kg would cost N1,065.
A 5kg bag of beans would sell for N6,225 while 1kg would be sold for N1,245. Also, 5kg of garri would be sold for N3,975 while 1kg would be sold for N795.
Other food items include 2 kg of tomatoes for N1,800; 1kg of tatashe for N1,275; 1kg of fresh pepper (atarodo) for N1,875; 1kg of onions for N450; one loaf of bread for N750; two loaves of bread for N1,500; and one crate of eggs for N2,700.
Some of the discounted markets are – Agege LGA: Dairy Farm Secondary School, Orile-Agege LCDA: Saka Tinubu Memorial School, Orile Agege, Ajeromi-Ifelodun: AFRICAN Primary School (close to the Secretariat), Ikorodu LGA: Ikorodu Grammar School, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA: Zumuratu Islamiya Grammar School, Igbogbo, Ijede LCDA: Luwasa Junior High School, Ijede. Kosofe LGA: St. Emmanuel Primary School, Ogudu and Ikosi Isheri LCDA: Ikosi High School, Ketu.
The markets were zoned under Ikeja, Ikorodu, Badagary and Epe areas respectively.
An excited Lagos resident, Mr Sunday Akurulo, while speaking on the development our correspondent, thanked the governor for the initiative, but expressed doubt on how long the initiative would last.
The father of three, who resides in Dairo Street, Ikosi Ketu, said he would send his wife to Ikosi High School, where the one for the area is cited to ascertain if truly the government has fulfilled its promise.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu is a nice man, but I am not sure the government can keep up the good gesture. My wife will go to the market tomorrow (Sunday). At least, let’s enjoy it while it lasts,” he added.
Another resident, Mrs Patricia Ugorji, a single mother of two, who also resides in the same Ikosi, said she might not visit the market because it would be congested.
The 35-year-old teacher said, “You know things like this always cause casualties, just like the sales of rice at the Navy dockyard where people lost their lives and no one cared. I will rather continue to pray to God to provide for me than to go and risk my life and waste time there.”
However, another Lagos resident and mother of one, Eberechi Dike, said she was aware of the Lagos Food Discount market, but owing to her current financial situation, she might not visit the market.
“It depends on how I wake up. I don’t have money anywhere now to buy any foodstuffs even though I need them. I will try next weekend and I hope by then, it won’t be too crowded.”
For Mrs Abosede Odunayo, the initiative is a welcome development, saying that she would take advantage of it and stock her home with food items.
“This is a welcome development. I will be at the one near to me to buy food items. I am always afraid when it is time to buy foodstuffs because of the high prices. This time around, I believe I will smile home after my time at one of the markets,” Mrs Odunayo stressed.
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