The Lagos State Government has announced its decision to put the Ounje Eko Initiative on hold.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, declared this at a strategic meeting with Ounje Eko market leaders at the Food Hub in Idi-Oro, Mushin.
Olusanya said the decision by the government to put the initiative on hold was made to incorporate feedback from major stakeholders in order to improve service delivery to residents.
Olusanya added that the government had initiated various programs to boost food production, and the large crowds at the different centers reflected the public’s acceptance of the initiative.
According to her, crowd management is a shared responsibility. She also commended some members of the House of Assembly for stepping in to assist at critical moments.
The Commissioner highlighted that the government had executed a buy-back program from some vendors during the first phase of the initiative, which began in March. She added that the second phase, which started on September 1, is still a work in progress.
She added that the start of the new school term could be partly responsible for the shortage of items at some centers, as vendors have to divide their supplies between the markets and the schools.
Olusanya assured stakeholders that the government has taken steps to address reports of delays in vendor payments, ensuring that the 25% discount enjoyed by residents is not compromised. She also mentioned that the payment reconciliation process had been improved.
She acknowledged the collaboration with security agencies, including the police, Neighbourhood Watch, KAI, and AWMA, noting that while their efforts have been encouraging, addressing issues as they arise remains challenging.
The Commissioner disclosed that the extension of the Ounje Eko programme to tertiary institutions has been well-received. However, she noted that the state requires more personnel to open additional centers.
Meanwhile, the Director of Agricultural Services in Isolo Local Government, Mr. Raji Olusegun, drew the Commissioner’s attention to challenges with crowd control, adding that more residents are storming the centers to purchase food items than the available supply.
He, however, commended the state government for initiating the program to alleviate the suffering of the people following the removal of the fuel subsidy.
Mallam Abubakar, a rice vendor from Lagos Mainland, also expressed his satisfaction with the program but called for quicker disbursement of funds to vendors to ensure the timely provision of food items for sale.
He further urged the government to enhance security around the centers due to the large number of residents coming to purchase food, as well as the presence of individuals with malicious intent.
Sadiq Aremu, speaking on behalf of the Youth Council from the Ojokoro area, encouraged the state to focus more on food production, given the increasing demand for consumable goods.
He also urged the state government to plan beyond the current challenges, warning that the recent floods affecting parts of the country and international conflicts could further escalate the global food crisis.
The Ounje Eko initiative, which has now been put on hold, was introduced by the state government to allow residents to purchase food items including rice, beans, yam flour, garri, pepper, eggs, and yams at a 25% discount.
