By Yemi Olakitan
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu kicked off the “Ounje Eko” food markets programme on Sunday.
The program which observes say will boost agriculture in the country will begins sales of food items at discounted prices in the five divisions of the state on Sunday, March 17th.
Lagos residents may flood the various locations to buy food items at pocket-friendly prices, according to the Governor.
Sanwo-Olu had stated that the food markets would operate exclusively on Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm across 57 locations in the state.
The Food Markets’ initiative was aimed at cushioning the effect of the high cost of living in the Lagos State. Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed this during a live media chat on February 22.
In a statement on Friday, the state Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, announced the commencement of the initiative, noting that the markets would offer Lagosians a 25 per cent discount on staple food items like rice, beans, garlic, bread, eggs, tomatoes, and pepper.
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.
A 5kg bag of rice would 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 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 the Ikeja, Ikorodu, Badagary and Epe areas.