Lagos to commence second phase of Ounje Eko on Sunday

… extends gesture to educational institutions

The Lagos State government will commence Phase II of the Food Discount Markets, known as “Ounje Eko,” on Sunday, September 1, 2024.

According to the government, this initiative aims to ensure sustainable and affordable food availability, allowing Lagos residents to purchase food items at lower prices.

The first phase of the Ounje Eko Market began on Sunday, March 17, in five divisions of the state. It was part of measures rolled out by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to alleviate the impact of rising food prices on Lagosians. The temporary markets operated on Sundays, offering selected food items at a 25% discount, reaching over 250,000 beneficiaries across the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Ikeja, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, said the program aligns with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to supporting Lagosians through innovative and impactful initiatives.

Olusanya explained that Governor Sanwo-Olu approved the expansion of the second phase of the initiative due to public demand. She stressed that with food inflation reaching 40.9%, placing the price of staple food items beyond the reach of many households, the initiative would address these gaps.

She maintained that at the 64 designated locations for the markets, citizens would enjoy a 25% discount on a variety of food items, including rice, beans, garri, bread, eggs, tomatoes, pepper, tatashe, and onions.

“This second phase of ‘Ounje Eko’ will run for eight weeks across 64 locations, including the 57 LGAs/LCDAs, Alausa Secretariat, Lekki Phase 1, 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. Markets at the Alausa Secretariat and institutions such as UNILAG, LASU, LASUSTECH, LASUED, and LASUTH will take place on Fridays, while the market for Mushin LGA, to be held at the Fresh Food Hub in Idi-Oro, will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays.”

“The food items available at the markets will have a maximum purchasable limit of 5kg each for rice, beans, and garri, 2 loaves of bread, 1 crate of eggs, 2kg of tomatoes, and 1kg each for pepper, tatashe, and onions per individual.”

“Beyond providing food items at discounted prices, Mr. Governor is engaging approximately 6,000 personnel and over 3,000 businesses to supply food items, transportation, logistics, and other necessities. This will ensure the smooth operation of the markets and further bolster our local economy,” she said.

To enhance accountability and convenience, the Commissioner mentioned that all transactions will potentially be digitalized. She urged residents to be orderly at the respective markets, with adequate security arrangements to ensure smooth transactions throughout the period.

Olusanya also emphasized the need for residents to note that the prices of food items have increased over the past few months and vary from one location to another.

She said, “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. Moreover, 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 added that the government has engaged all stakeholders who will participate in the process, including food vendors, payment service providers, market leaders, and volunteers, while reassuring residents of a comfortable and hassle-free experience.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, added that the initiative was reinstated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu because it was deemed successful by residents.

Omotoso said that in the coming years, the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu will open more opportunities for residents to improve their livelihoods. He also urged journalists to watch out for fake news that could undermine the implementation of other state government initiatives aimed at improving the economic conditions of citizens.