The Lagos food market – Ounje Eko – offering discounted prices on essential food items across has begun sales.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had ordered that food products at the “Ounje Eko” food markets be sold at a discount in all five divisions of Lagos starting on Sunday, March 17.
On February 22, the Lagos State government announced a series of interventions to ameliorate the prevailing economic hardship on residents.
Reports said that staple food items including rice, beans, garri, bread, eggs, tomatoes, and pepper were sold at 25% discounted prices.
At two locations — Alubarika Primary School, Bariga and Gbagada Junior High School – visited residents reportedly trooped in large numbers to purchase different items.
Also, security operatives including Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) are on ground to monitor situation at the food markets.
One of the residents, Mrs. Amaka Kenneth, who purchased some items, expressed satisfaction over the food market and the prices of the items.
She noted that they were cheap and affordable.
“I want to encourage other state governors to emulate this; this is a very fantastic and laudable idea.” Amaka said.
Some other residents also advised vendors and traders to embrace a good maintenance culture to keep the food markets clean, neat and hygienic always.
Mrs. Moshood commended the government for creating the food markets to ease the shopping experiences of residents.
Meanwhile, some residents of Badagry expressed mixed reactions at the Ounje Eko food discount markets organised by the government to reduce the hardship of residents.
The markets are located in three different locations in three Local Government and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Badagry.
In Badagry Local Government Area, the market is located in St Thomas Primary School, Badagry; in Olorunda LCDA, the location is Anglican Primary School, Aradagun, while in Badagry-West LCDA the location is Apa Health Centre in Apa.
Reports say that in Badagry, police operatives and Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency personnel were on ground to secure the markets.
Activities at the market did not start until 1.00 pm due to lateness of some officials responsible for collection of money.
Consequently, some residents registered their displeasures on the prices of commodities at the discount markets in Badagry.
Mrs. Fatimo Yusuf, a resident who came to buy rice and beans at one of the markets, said there was no difference between what they brought to them and what they buy at Agbalata market.
“Honestly, I am not happy with this discount market, there is no difference between what we are buying at our market and what they have brought here today.
“This is not a discount market, most of the people selling here are from our market here.
“Even when you compare the onions and pepper they are selling to people here, it is expensive, compared to what we are buying at our market here.
“The government should price these commodities before they display theirs.
“This is not favourable at all,” she said.
Also, Mrs. Olabimpe Bamidele, another resident, said she was shocked because of what they displayed at the market.
“When I heard about the discount market, I was very happy, I left Church early to come and buy tomatoes and onions here.
“But unfortunately, what I saw here is nothing to write home about because two kilo of tomatoes selling for N1,800 is too expensive, the same thing with onions.
“This is not what they promised us, people are just leaving the market without buying anything,” she said.
Bamidele said that there was no coordination on the side of officials from the Lagos.
She said that officials who were in charge of vouchers and money came two hours behind schedule.
However, Mr Idowu Jimoh, another resident, commended Lagos government for bringing the price of bread and eggs down.
“I came here to buy bread and eggs and I’m so happy because a crate of eggs we are buying for N3,800 is being sold for N2,700.
“Also, bread is sold for N750 instead of N1,000 per a loaf, and one is permitted to buy two for N1500.
“The government has tried in this area and they should continue because I will come next week to buy again,” he said.
Mrs Nusirat Ahmed, Lagos State Coordinator of Discount Market in Badagry, said the prices of all the commodities in the markets were the same.
“There is no disparity in the prices of our commodities, what we are selling here is what they are selling in Island and Lekki,” she said.
She said that they would not accept cash transaction for commodities, adding that transfer and ATM withdrawal were allowed.
Recall that the state government, as part of efforts to reduce effects of the harsh economic condition in the country, decided to open Sunday markets in specific locations across the state to sell food items to residents at discounted prices.