- By Faith Ajiboye and Aishat Ahmed
The Chairman of Alimosho Local Government, Johnson Akinpelu, has launched a monthly subsidised food market.
This, he said, was to ease food prices on residents.
At the launch, Akinpelu said the initiative became necessary following the widening gap between farmgate prices and what consumers pay in Lagos markets.
He noted that although food items arrive in the state at relatively lower prices, many traders continue to sell at inflated rates.
“We see that people bringing food from various states are selling at cheaper rates, but marketers are still selling at higher prices. With food, people gain the confidence to do other things,” he said.
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The subsidised market, rolled out as part of the council’s first 100 days activities, offers staple items such as rice, beans, yam, garri, spaghetti, eggs and oil at 50 per cent of their regular market prices.
According to him, the intervention targets widows, the elderly, low-income earners and other vulnerable residents in line with the council’s WISE Agenda.
Akinpelu added that the programme will hold every month and remain a continuous welfare scheme.
“Our people are going through tough economic situations, but this arrangement is going to continue. Once they buy and finish their purchases, they can come back again to do more”, he said.
To ensure transparency and prevent hoarding, Akinpelu said residents are not allowed to purchase more than N20,000 worth of food items at each market day.
He added that buyers receive invoices before making payments and proceed through designated points for verification.
He outlined improvements recorded within his first 100 days, including the training and certification of staff across departments to enhance efficiency.
He added that key offices, particularly the finance department which he described as the “engine room”, had been upgraded.
“We have the ICT, Agriculture and Finance departments all seated. Finance handles money while ICT manages data collection so we can keep accurate records and plan future market days,” he said.
Head of Agriculture and Social Services, Riliwanat Imam, said the programme was designed to cushion the hardship caused by escalating food prices.
“It’s meant for the less privileged who cannot afford market prices. With N5,000 to N10,000, they can buy food that will sustain their families,” she said.
A resident, Evelyn Winners, commended the council for selling food items at reduced price.
“I bought rice, garri, bread and groundnut oil at 50 per cent off. I’m so happy. I pray our chairman continues the good work,” she said.
She urged the council to include livestock to expand the benefits of the initiative.
