The Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said the food stuff market initiative where food items are sold at a 25 percent discounted price will continue until further notice.
The governor said this Wednesday at the official launch of the Eko Cares Initiative, a comprehensive response of the government to the temporary hardship occasioned by the global economic crises held at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.
The governor said: “For the sixth Sunday running, residents have continued to troop out to buy various items at the Sunday Markets where they enjoy an unprecedented 25 per cent discount on all food items.
“Basic foods such as rice, beans, garri, egg, bread, pepper, and tomatoes, among others, were sold at the markets by designated vendors.
“The feedback received from the programme has been inspiring, with excited residents praising the government for its empathy and thoughtfulness.”
The governor said aside the “Ounje Eko” initiative, food items, which include 10kg rice, 5kg garri, 5kg beans, and tomatoes, amongst others, all in combo packs, will be distributed to over 300,000 households.
EKO CARES is being supervised by the Special Dispensation Advisory Committee on Social Interventions (SPEDAC), an eleven-man, non-partisan body set up to advise the government on the various initiatives lined up to help the poor weather the storm.
“This administration has touched the life of every resident who requires public transportation, seeks medical health, works in the public service and feeds from the agricultural food items sold in Lagos state,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, thanked the governor for the initiative.
“Please, permit me to end this address by quoting Pope Francis, who on a visit to Washington in 2015, said: “We must restore hope to young people, help the old, be open to the future, spread love. Be poor among the poor. We need to include the excluded and preach peace.”
