The Lagos State government said the Ounjè Èkò discount markets, which is part of an initiative put in place to impact lives amidst current economic challenges facing the country, will reopen to Lagosians on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
The State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, made this known on Saturday in a statement made available to newsmen, noting that the pilot scheme of the initiative began on Sunday, March 17 in all the divisions of the state, with sales of discounted food items, including rice, beans, garri, bread, eggs, and perishables – tomato, pepper, rodo and onions.
According to Omotoso, the state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, rolled out the initiative, amongst others, to impact lives in various sectors of the economy, such as transportation, Medium and Small Scale Enterprise (MSME) trade, food, education, and health, saying that they would all be run under the theme, EKO CARES.
The commissioner noted that residents were hailing the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu for bringing the initiative to all the divisions of the state, with the activities in each market coordinated by state government officials, youth volunteers, private sector payment solution providers, and local government officials to ensure seamless operations, adding that the development had seen local food vendors witness increased sales since the exercise started.
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“The Ounjè Èko market pilot scheme began on Sunday, March 17 with sales of discounted food items, such as rice, beans, garri, bread, eggs, and perishables – tomato, pepper, rodo and onions.
“Local food vendors have witnessed increased sales since the exercise started, just as residents in each locality are excited at the low prices.
“The activities in each market are coordinated by LASG officials, youth volunteers, private sector payment solution providers, and local government officials to ensure seamless operations,” Omotoso stated.
The commissioner enjoined residents to look out for prices of the items displayed in each locality as they might slightly differ in different locations, just as he disclosed that a new market location had also been introduced in Lekki Phase 1 to cater to the needs of residents within the area.
He, however, said detailed locations of Ounje Èkó markets can be found on all Lagos State government social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, and the state government official website.
“Residents are advised to look out for prices of the items displayed in each locality as they might slightly differ in different locations.
“A new market location has also been introduced in Lekki Phase 1 to cater to the needs of residents within the area.
“The detailed locations of Ounje Èkó markets can be found on all Lagos State Government social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram, and X,” the commissioner said.