By Luqmon Balogun
Regardless of status in Nigeria today, no one is impervious to the increase in food prices and its attendant effects on the citizens and economy.
Lawyers, bankers, engineers, town and gowns, and even journalists are all feeling the heat currently hitting the land.
Food is a major source of living, and any nation or sub-national that ignores its security and sufficiency is driving towards a destination of poverty, hunger and malnutrition.
In the last four years, increase in average food prices in Nigeria has reached a crescendo, and with the current food inflation reaching almost 50%, this is an indicator of acute inflationary pressures which is dealing a great blow to the economy, particularly the rural dwellers. And this has indeed strained families to feed from hand to mouth, while the excruciating moments is depleting the family values.
A professor once told me that he sold his car to cater to his family needs. And we have reported cases of men abandoning their families, just to avoid the accumulated and unstable bills created by the increase in food prices.
However, to ensure a reduction in the current high prices of food, and build a proper food reserve management system, the Lagos State government activated the ‘Ounje Eko’ initiative. The innovation, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, is part of the government’s commitment to enhancing food security and ensuring efficient operation of the food supply chains.
Read Also: Nigeria rejects TUC UK’s allegations of human rights abuse — Presidency
The ‘Ounje Eko’ food discount markets allow residents to buy a variety of food items, such as Rice, Beans, Garri, Bread, Eggs, Tomatoes, Pepper, Tatashe, and Onions at 25% discount. This indeed is a good initiative that must be embraced.
The phase one of the initiative held for six editions and, according to the government, the gesture reached over 250,000 beneficiaries across the state. The initiative, launched in early March, was adjudged successful by the residents who sought its return.
Besides the 57 designated markets across all council areas, the Alausa Secretariat and Lekki Phase One were the other two markets established during the first phase of the initiative, making it a total of 59 locations. And pushing steps further, the government expanded the scope of the initiative, with the announcement of its second phase, to capture all and sundry.
This second phase of the ‘Ounje Eko’ started on September 1, and 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 Sunday markets will run from 10am to 5pm, except for those in the Alausa Secretariat and educational institutions that open on Fridays. The market for Mushin Local Government will be at the Fresh Food Hub in Idi-Oro, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The food items available at the markets include a maximum purchasable cap of 5kg each for rice, beans, and garri, two loaves of bread, 1 crate of egg, 2kg of Tomatoes, and 1kg each of pepper, tatashe, and onions per individual.
This initiative stemmed out of the Special Dispensation Advisory Committee on Social Interventions (SPEDAC), set up by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to ensure implementation of social initiatives aimed at cushioning the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on Lagosians. These measures also come under the umbrella of EKO CARES which incorporates health, transportation and education sectors.
I am also aware the state set up about 20 mini markets in some local government areas during the COVID-19 so that people can buy closer to their homes. This initiative shows the state is foresighted by building on the COVID-19 knowledge to float the ‘Ounje Eko’ idea which covers more people.
Although the state government had carried out different tiers of intervention with regards to food distribution among different categories of the society in the past, especially to those that could not afford buying food at all, the ‘Ounje Eko’ initiative is for those who have some funds to buy at cheaper prices.
The Sunday market centres are usually filled up to the brim as long queues remain visible till the last food items are sold. And the decision to include the educational institutions to enjoy the discounted sales is a good idea to address the wellbeing of students and staff of the institutions. Although the prices of the products vary according to locations, residents are full of praises for the idea.
Through this initiative, the government has engaged not less than 6,000 personnel and over 3,000 businesses to supply food items, logistics and transportation, among others. This will enable standard operational conduct and further bolster local economy. And to prevent reselling, double-buying and ensure that all buyers are served, children who come with their parents are not allowed to purchase food items, while the aged, expectant mothers and people with disabilities are given preference.
Close encounters with some of the buyers reveal joy and confidence in the initiative. At the Grammar School market in Ikorodu, Mrs. Fatimah Odubela appreciated the gesture, saying “It has been tough to buy some food items, particularly eggs, but this 25 per cent discount is giving us the opportunity to buy. We thank the government.”
Another buyer at the Agege Dairy Farm Secondary School, Mrs. Uzamat Ojomo, said: “When the first phase was abruptly ended, I was shocked because the Sunday markets had assisted me to buy more for my family, and I was only managing through other periods. But now that it is back I am happy, I think the next eight weeks will bring succour to us here in Agege. Thank you Mr Sanwo-Olu.”
At the Lagos City College, Yaba, Segun Aiyeniromo Abdul said the initiative will bring relief, improve local production and boost economy.
Governor Sanwo-Olu had reassured residents of his administration’s resolve to cater for their wellbeing. He said “It is all about assuring Lagosians that our administration will continue to stand by them. We will continue to find and deploy creative ways of easing their burden.”
To me, this is a way to go. The burden created by the food prices is humongous and initiatives like this, coming from the Lagos State government, is commendable. I hope other states of the federation can replicate this towards saving lives and helping citizens to save more.
Going forward, Lagos and other states must forge collaboration to ensure food security and sufficiency. Efforts must be intensified to empower rural farmers, encourage urban farming, thereby ensuring security of farmers on the field. Dilapidated roads should be fixed to make transportation of food items easy, while multiple taxes on food items phased out.
Ounje Eko Market creates an ambience of happy vendors and happy buyers, and I believe this initiative will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of Lagosians.
•Balogun is a journalist and writes from Lagos.