The Lagos State Government is set to launch Phase II of its ‘Ounje Eko’ Food Discount Market on September 1, 2024.
This announcement was made by the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, during a press conference held at the Alausa Secretariat.
The Ounje Eko initiativeis expected to provide residents with essential food items at a 25% discount, continuing the success of Phase I, which took place earlier this year and served over 250,000 beneficiaries across all 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos.
The first phase was well-received, with markets operating on Sundays at various locations, including the Alausa Secretariat and Lekki Phase I.
Commissioner Olusanya emphasized the government's commitment to alleviating the financial burden on citizens amid rising food prices, which have seen inflation rates reach 40.9%. “This program is part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s broader strategy to support Lagos residents through innovative initiatives,” she stated.
Phase II will run for eight weeks and expand to 64 locations, including educational institutions like the University of Lagos and Lagos State University.
Markets will operate from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with specific days designated for different locations. For instance, the Mushin LGA market will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
To ensure equitable access, there will be limits on the quantity of food items each individual can purchase: up to 5 kg of rice, beans, and garri; two loaves of bread; one crate of eggs; 2 kg of tomatoes; and 1 kg each of pepper, tatashe, and onions.
The government has implemented a digital payment system to enhance transparency and accountability, eliminating cash transactions at market locations.
