By Jimmy Fatunbi
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has hinted that the “Ounje Eko” food markets will begin sales of food items at discounted prices in the five divisions of the state on Sunday, March 17. Lagosians may flood the various locations to buy food items at friend prices.
Sanwo-Olu had stated that the food markets would operate exclusively on Sundays from 11am to 4pm across 57 locations in the state.
The governor, who disclosed this during a live media chat on February 22, said the ‘Sunday Markets’ initiative was aimed at cushioning the effect of the high cost of living in the country.
In a statement on Friday, the state Commissioner, 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, garri, bread, eggs, tomatoes, and pepper.
The statement partly read, “In order 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.