17th March, 2024
Some residents of Badagry on Sunday expressed mixed reactions at the Ounje Eko food discount markets organised by Lagos State Government to reduce hardship in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the markets are located in three different locations in three Local Government and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Badagry.
In Badagry Local Government Area, the market is located in St Thomas Primary School, Badagry; in Olorunda LCDA, the location is Anglican Primary School, Aradagun, while in Badagry-West LCDA the location is Apa Health Centre in Apa.
NAN Correspondent who monitored the market in Badagry reports that Nigeria Police and Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency personnel were on ground to secure the markets.
NAN also reports that activities at the market did not start until 1.00 p.m due to lateness of some officials responsible for collection of money.
Meanwhile, some residents registered their displeasures on the prices of commodities at the discount markets in Badagry.
Mrs Fatimo Yusuf, a resident who came to buy rice and beans at one of the markets, said there was no difference between what they brought to them and what they buy at Agbalata market.
“Honestly, I am not happy with this discount market, there is no difference between what we are buying at our market and what they have brought here today.
“This is not a discount market, most of the people selling here are from our market here.
“Even when you compare the onions and pepper they are selling to people here, it is expensive, compared to what we are buying at our market here.
“The government should price these commodities before they display theirs.
“This is not favourable at all,” she said.
Also, Mrs Olabimpe Bamidele, another resident, said she was shocked because of what they displayed at the market.
“When I heard about the discount market, I was very happy, I left Church early to come and buy tomatoes and onions here.
“But unfortunately, what I saw here is nothing to write home about because two kilo 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,” she said.
Bamidele said that there was no coordination on the side of officials from the Lagos.
She said that officials who were in charge of vouchers and money came two hours behind schedule.
However, Mr Idowu Jimoh, another resident, commended Lagos 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 are buying for N3,800 is being sold 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.
Mrs Nusirat Ahmed, Lagos State Coordinator of Discount Market in Badagry, said the prices of all the commodities in the markets were the same.
“There is no disparity in the prices of our commodities, what we are selling here is what they are selling in Island and Lekki,” she said.
She said that they would not accept cash transaction for commodities, adding that transfer and ATM withdrawal were allowed.
Recall that the state government, as part of efforts to reduce effects of the harsh economic condition in the country, decided to open Sunday markets in specific locations across the state to sell food items to residents at discounted prices.
(NAN)