Residents of Coker-Aguda LCDA and its environs have asked the Lagos State Government to sustain the 25% discount OUNJE EKO Sunday Market until the rising cost of food items becomes a thing of the past in the state.
They also commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for responding promptly to the requests of residents, which led to the kickoff of the second phase of the initiative.
It will be recalled that the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, announced the approval for the start of the second phase of OUNJE EKO on September 1st by the Governor at a media briefing in Alausa, Ikeja.
She disclosed that the 25% discount OUNJE EKO Market will be held simultaneously in 64 centres across the state over the next eight consecutive Sundays, on Fridays at the Alausa Secretariat for workers, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Market Food Hub in Mushin.
Some residents who expressed satisfaction with the exercise being held at Aguda Grammar School said it showed that the Governor and the Commissioner for Agriculture were doing their best to reduce the level of hunger among residents.
They also urged the Governor to continue prioritizing the distribution of inputs to farmers and to address challenges encountered by those bringing food items to Lagos, including multiple checkpoints.
The council boss, Hon. Rasaq Olalekan, who thanked the Governor, said that the initiative demonstrated a high level of partnership between the state and the local government areas.
He explained that necessary measures were put in place to prevent those with the intention of buying the food items and reselling them at higher costs.
The exercise kicked off in Coker-Aguda LCDA with full compliance with government directives, including having standby medical officials and security operatives for the protection of residents’ lives and property.
Some of the items sold at a 25% discount include rice, beans, garri, tomatoes, bread, eggs, palm oil, pepper, and onions.
