Hardship: Subsidised foodstuff markets still in progress — Sanwo-Olu

Lagos Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has assured that the foodstuff market initiative where various foodstuffs are sold at a 25 percent discounted price will continue in operation until further notice.

Governor Sanwo-Olu gave this assurance on Wednesday at Lagos House Alausa, Ikeja, at the official launch of the Eko Cares Initiative, a comprehensive response of the government to the temporary hardship occasioned by the global economic crisis.

It would be recalled that EKO CARES is being supervised by the Special Dispensation Advisory Committee on Social Interventions (SPEDAC), an 11-man, non-partisan body set up to advise the government on the various initiatives lined up to help the poor weather the storm.

The governor noted that the initiative had been for the past six weeks, while people continued to troop out to buy various items at the Sunday Markets where they enjoyed an unprecedented 25percent discount on all food items, saying that “the feedback received from the programme had been inspiring, with excited residents praising the government for its empathy and thoughtfulness.”

“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% discount on all food items.

“Basic foods such as rice, beans, garri, eggs, 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,” he said.

Speaking further, Governor Sanwo-Olu said aside from the “Ounje Eko Initiative,” food items, which include 10kg rice, 5kg gari, 5kg beans, and tomatoes, amongst others, all in combo packs, will be distributed to over 300,000 households.

“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.

“All we are here to witness today is the official launch of Eko Cares, a testament that this administration will break all barriers to make life better for every Lagosian until the global economic decline gradually goes away,” the governor said.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, thanked the governor for the initiative which he said had made life bearable for Lagosians in the face of economic hardship.

“Thank you for the discounts given in the transportation and agriculture sectors to make life bearable for Lagosians in the face of economic hardship; thank you for the free medical benefits to our families and thank you for staying the course of empathy.

“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,” the commissioner said.