The Lagos State Government has announced the commencement of Phase II of its ‘Ounje Eko’ Food Discount Market, set to begin on September 1. This initiative aims to mitigate the impact of rising food prices on residents across the state.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, during a news conference on Wednesday at the Alausa Secretariat. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first phase of the Ounje Eko Food Discount Market, launched in March, was successfully implemented across all 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.
These temporary markets, which operated on Sundays at various locations including the Alausa Secretariat and Lekki Phase I, offered essential food items at a 25 percent discount. The six editions of Phase I reached over 250,000 beneficiaries, ensuring that crucial food items were accessible to citizens despite economic challenges.
Residents enjoyed discounts on a variety of staple foods, such as rice, beans, garri, bread, eggs, tomatoes, peppers, and onions.
Commissioner Olusanya stated that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the rollout of Phase II to further alleviate the financial burden on Lagosians amid escalating food prices.
“On behalf of the Lagos State Government, we are pleased to announce the commencement of the ‘Ounje Eko’ Food Discount Market Phase II. This initiative aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to supporting Lagos residents through impactful and innovative programs,” Olusanya said.
She emphasized that the success and positive feedback from the first phase highlighted the significant impact such initiatives can have on improving the quality of life for citizens. Given the current food inflation rate of 40.9 percent, which has placed staple food items out of reach for many households, the expansion of this program is even more crucial.
Phase II will run for eight weeks across 64 locations, including the 57 LGAs/LCDAs, Alausa Secretariat, Lekki Phase I, 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).
The markets will operate from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, with specific locations like Alausa Secretariat and the educational institutions holding markets on Fridays. However, the Mushin LGA market will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Fresh Food Hub in Idi-Oro.
Available food items will have purchasing limits, including a maximum of 5kg each for rice, beans, and garri, two loaves of bread, one crate of eggs, 2kg of tomatoes, and 1kg each of pepper, tatashe, and onions per individual.
Olusanya also highlighted the state’s commitment to ensuring the smooth operation of the markets through collaboration with various agencies.
“To ensure seamless operations, each market will be overseen by a leader, supported by ministry staff, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) representatives, and local government officials. Transactions will be fully digitalized, with no cash payments allowed, ensuring accountability and convenience,” she explained.
The commissioner assured residents that adequate provisions for seating, canopies, and convenience facilities would be made at all market locations. Security and support services will be provided by the Mobile Police, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC), and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), among others.
Additionally, the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) will be on hand for medical emergencies, and the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) will manage cleanliness during and after market hours.
