Kunle Adelabu
-Markets open at six locations in Ikorodu
The second phase of the Ounje Eko Discount Market kicks off Sunday, September 1, across the 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state, with 64 centres which will run for eight weeks.
Six locations have been scheduled for the purpose in Ikorodu Division. These are: Ikorodu Grammar School, Oke Ota – Ona, Ikorodu (Ikorodu LG); Zumtratul Islammiyah Schhol, Igbogbo (Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA); Luwasa Junior High School, Ijede (Ijede LCDA); Odogunyan Grammar School, Odogunyan (Ikorodu North LCDA); Cherubim & Seraphim Primary School, Ogolonto (Ikorodu West LCDA) and LG Primary School, Imota (Imota LCDA).
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, disclosed this in a news conference during the week at the Alausa Secretariat.
She assured Lagosians that provisions have been made to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free experience at all the market locations as Phase II.
Food items that will available at the markets include a maximum cap purchasable of 5kg each for Rice, Beans, and Garri, 2 loaves of Bread, 1 crate of Egg, 2kg of Tomatoes, and 1kg each for Pepper, Tatashe and Onions per individual.
Olusanya, at the press conference that heralded the second phase, clarified that food items would be sold at various centres and their prevailing prices in each of the locations on which 25% would be offered.
“It is important to note that the prices of these food items have increased over the past few months, varying from one location to another. For instance, a 50kg bag of local Rice (short grain) sells for 75,000 naira in Ikeja and Lagos Island, 68,000 naira in Badagry, and 70,000 naira in Ikorodu.
“Therefore, to accommodate these disparities, the prices of food items sold at each market location will align with the prevailing local market prices, as the items will be sold by local vendors.
“I would like to clarify that a paint bucket of rice, weighing approximately 3.8kg, is smaller than a 5kg bag. This distinction is crucial for individuals who may confuse a paint bucket for a 5kg measure”, she said.
To ensure smooth operations, according to her, 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 LGA/LCDA, typically the Head of Department for Agriculture and the Supervisor and also receive support from volunteers and Local Government Chairmen.
She emphasised that all transactions will be digitalized and be done in collaboration with 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.
Speaking further on providing a comfortable atmosphere, she said that adequate seating, canopies, and convenience facilities will be available.
“For any issue or complaint, citizens should approach the Market Leader who will be wearing a branded red reflective jacket or other staff officials in branded lemon reflective jackets.
“To guarantee safety and orderliness, we are engaging security and support personnel, including the Mobile Police, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC), LASTMA for traffic management, Civil Defense, Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) for medical emergencies, and Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) for cleanliness during and after the market hours.
The Honourable Commissioner also revealed that the Lagos State Government will be engaging 6,000 personnel and over 3,000 businesses that will supply food items, transportation, logistics, and other necessities.
