Lagos, Aug. 28, 2024 (TheGavel):
The Lagos State Government has announced the commencement of Phase II of its ‘Ounje Eko’ Food Discount Market, starting September 1, to run for eight weeks across 64 locations. This initiative aims to alleviate the impact of rising food prices on citizens, providing discounted food items to residents across the state.
According to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, “On behalf of the Lagos State Government, we announce the commencement of the ‘Ounje Eko’ Food Discount Market Phase II, an initiative aimed at alleviating the impact of rising food prices on our citizens. This programme aligns with Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to supporting Lagos residents through innovative and impactful initiatives.”
“The success and wide acclaim of the first phase of the project have shown us the substantial impact such initiatives can have on improving the lives of our citizens. In response to numerous requests from the public, the governor has decided to expand and enhance this initiative,” she added.
The markets will operate from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, offering discounted food items, including rice, beans, garri, bread, eggs, tomatoes, pepper, tatashe, and onions. Each individual can purchase a maximum of 5kg of rice, beans, and garri, 2 loaves of bread, 1 crate of eggs, 2kg of tomatoes, and 1kg each of pepper, tatashe, and onion.
The programme has been expanded to include more locations, including universities and teaching hospitals. Markets will be set up at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). Additionally, markets will be located at the 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), Alausa Secretariat, and Lekki Phase 1.
To ensure smooth operations, each market will be managed by a market leader, supported by eight ministry staff, four representatives of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos Chapter, and two representatives from the LGAs/LCDAs. Volunteers and local government chairmen will also provide support.
All transactions will be digitalized, with no cash transactions allowed. Payment Service Providers such as Money Master PSB by GLO, MoMo PSB by MTN, Smartcash PSB by Airtel, Palmpay, Hydrogen by Access Bank, and Traction will facilitate transactions. In case of any transaction issues, citizens are advised to contact their respective banks.
Adequate seating, canopies, and convenience facilities will be available, and security personnel will be on hand to maintain safety and orderliness. The Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) will manage traffic, while the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) will be available for medical emergencies. The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) will ensure cleanliness during and after market hours.
The Lagos State Government has also engaged security and support personnel, including the Mobile Police, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), and the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC), to guarantee safety and orderliness.
Olusanya noted that the initiative has become more pertinent due to food inflation, which has placed staple food items beyond the reach of many households. She promised that the markets would operate seamlessly, with adequate measures in place to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free experience for all citizens. (NAN)
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