Lagosians however received the much-announced Ounje Eko initiative with mixed reactions.
While some locations concluded the exercise at 4pm, some, such as Satellite Town, extended till 5.30pm due to the late arrival of food items.
A resident of Igando-Ikotun LCDA, Mrs. Bianca Okafor, hailed the government for ‘coming to the aid of the masses in such a trying time’
“I am really happy. Before this discount offer came to us, I have been thinking about how to feed my family of six. I am a single mother and taking care of kids in this hard time is suicidal. Sometimes I cry myself to sleep. But, I am grateful to Governor Sanwo-Olu for coming to our aid,” she said.
Elizabeth Hundeyin at Satellite Town also lauded Governor Sanwo-Olu for the initiative. She said the gesture would reduce poverty and enable families to have food on their tables.
“I got some food items at discounted prices, and I think it’s a really good one. Kudos to Lagos State for this poverty alleviation scheme; it is a good one and a commendable effort.”
Other beneficiaries also praised government but said other items such as noodles, groundnut oil and spaghetti should be added to the items.
But Basit Ahmed said the initiative was just a peanut to blindfold the masses.
“How could you give this kind of discount to your citizens? It’s not fair. They are to pay 75 per cent, while government pays 25 per cent. It’s as good as nothing. This is supposed to be a palliative. We are not supposed to pay a dime. The government is supposed to give free foodstuff to the citizens in this hard time,” he said.
At Igando Community Grammar School, Igando, about 1,000 residents turned out for the exercise. Abdulhakeem Akindele praised officials for ensuring order. He also lauded the system of having a limit to purchases, saying ‘it will give everyone the opportunity to benefit’.
Others however said more stalls and vendors are needed to ensure efficiency. They said this will make the queues move faster and especially reduce waiting time, especially for the elderly.
“We appreciate the government. However, they need to recruit more staff, traders and officials so that the programme would be organised such that old people would not stand for too long especially in the sun,” Elizabeth said.
The vendors welcomed the initiative and requested an expansion of the programme scope.
A Sales Representative of Country Fresh Bread, Active Foods Bakery, Ajidaun Oluwasegun, opiend that the initiative be made long term.
“I am impressed about it. Kudos to Governor Sanwo-Olu. I would love it to go on because it helps people buy at subsidised rates.”
Salisu Muhammad and Emilia Flay called for wider publicity and a broader variety of food items, including staples like yam, potatoes, semovita, among others.
In Badagry Local Government Area, activities did not start until 1pm because some officials came late.
Residents also registered their displeasure with the prices of commodities.
Mrs. Fatimo Yusuf said there was no difference between what they brought to them and what they buy at Agbalata market.
“I am not happy with this discount market; there is no difference between what we buy in the normal markets and what they brought here today. This is not a discount market, most of the people selling here are from our everyday markets.
“Even the onions and pepper is expensive, compared to what we buy at the normal markets. This is not favourable at all; government should return to the table and do the needful,” she said.
Another resident, Mrs. Olabimpe Bamidele, expressed shock at the prices of produce at the market.
She said: “When I heard about the discount market, I was very happy and left Church early to buy tomatoes and onions. But, unfortunately, what I saw here is nothing to write home about because two kilos 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.”
Mrs. Bamidele also said the government officials in charge of the market were not coordinated. But Idowu Jimoh hailed the 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 buy for N3,800 sells 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.
