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

• Lagos Governor assures continuation of foodstuff market initiative, offering items at 25% discount until further notice
• The Eko Cares Initiative, launched by Governor Sanwo-Olu and supervised by SPEDAC, aims to alleviate temporary hardship amid the global economic crisis

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

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

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

The governor noted that the initiative had been running for the past six weeks, with people continuing to flock to the Sunday Markets to buy various items at a 25 percent discount on all food items. He mentioned that the feedback received from the program had been inspiring, with excited residents praising the government for its empathy and thoughtfulness.

Designated vendors sold basic food items such as rice, beans, garri, eggs, bread, pepper, and tomatoes at the markets.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also announced that, in addition to the “Ounje Eko Initiative,” food items such as 10kg rice, 5kg gari, 5kg beans, and tomatoes, among others, all in combo packs, would be distributed to over 300,000 households.

“This administration has touched the lives of every resident who requires public transportation, seeks medical health care, works in the public service, and feeds from the agricultural food items sold in Lagos State,” the governor stated.

He emphasized that the official launch of Eko Cares signifies the administration’s commitment to improving life for every Lagosian until the global economic decline gradually diminishes.

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. He quoted Pope Francis urging inclusivity and spreading love and peace.