News
Lagosians excited as govt begins “Ounje Eko” food markets today
Lagosians excited as govt begins “Ounje Eko” food markets today
Following the announcement by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu that the “Ounje Eko” food markets will begin sales of food items at discounted prices in the five divisions of the state on Sunday, March 17, Lagosians may flood the various locations to buy food items at friendly prices.
Sanwo-Olu had stated that the food markets would operate exclusively on Sundays from 11am to 4pm across 57 locations in the state.
The governor, who disclosed this during a live media chat on February 22, said the ‘Sunday Markets’ initiative was aimed at cushioning the effect of the high cost of living in the country.
In a statement on Friday, the state Commissioner, Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, announced the commencement of the initiative, noting that the markets would offer Lagosians a 25 per cent discount on staple food items like rice, beans, garri, bread, eggs, tomatoes, and pepper.
The statement partly read, “In order to prevent sharp practices and ensure the foodstuff reaches a large number of Lagosians, a voucher system will be introduced as the pilot scheme kicks off.
“Independent payment solution providers and food vendors have been identified and carefully selected to operate the process. They will also provide real-time data on the exercise for monitoring.”
Infographics provided by the commissioner revealed that the markets would be opened at 27 locations in Ikeja, six in Lagos Island, nine in Ikorodu, five in Epe, and 10 in Badagry.
READ ALSO:
- Lagos police apprehend man for raping 13-year-old sister
- FCT Minister inaugurates construction of 618-shop modern market in Abuja
- Young boys introduced me to hard drugs – Nigerian singer
It also provided the prices of the food items.
A 5kg bag of rice would sell for N5,325 while 1kg would cost N1,065; a 5kg bag of beans would sell for N6,225 while 1kg would be sold for N1,245. Also, 5kg of garri would be sold for N3,975 while 1kg would be sold for N795.
Other food items include 2 kg of tomatoes for N1,800; 1kg of tatashe for N1,275; 1kg of atarodo for N1,875; 1kg of onions for N450; one loaf of bread for N750; two loaves of bread for N1,500; and one crate of eggs for N2,700.
Some of the discounted markets are, Agege LGA: Dairy Farm Secondary School, Orile-Agege LCDA: Saka Tinubu Memorial School, Orile Agege, Ajeromi-Ifelodun: AFRICAN Primary School (close to the Secretariat), Ikorodu LGA: Ikorodu Grammar School, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA: Zumuratu Islamiya Grammar School, Igbogbo, Ijede LCDA: Luwasa Junior High School, Ijede. Kosofe LGA: St. Emmanuel Primary School, Ogudu and Ikosi Isheri LCDA: Ikosi High School, Ketu.
The markets were zoned under Ikeja, Ikorodu, Badagary and Epe areas.
Expressing excitement at the development, a Lagos resident, Mr Sunday Akurulo speaking to our correspondent on the “Ounje Eko” food market sales starting on Sunday appreciated the governor, but however is expressed doubt on how long the initiative would last.
Akurulo, who is married with three kids resides in Dairo Street, Ikosi Ketu, said he would send his wife to the location in the area, Ikosi High School, to know if it is true what the government has promised.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu is a nice man, but I am not sure the government can keep up the good gesture. My wife will go to the market tomorrow (Sunday). At least lets enjoy it while it lasts.
Another resident, Mrs Patricia Ugorji, who is a single mother of two, and resides in the same Ikosi, said she might not visit the market because it would be congested.
The 35 years-old teacher said, “You know things like this always cause casualties, just like the rice sales at the Navy dockyard where people lost their lives and no one cared. I will rather continue to pray to God to provide for me than go and risk my life and time there.”
However, another Lagos resident and mother of one, Eberechi Dike, said she was aware of the Lagos Food Discount market, but owing to her current financial situation she might not visit the market on today (Sunday).
“It depends on how I wake up. I don’t have money anywhere now to buy any foodstuffs even though I need them. I will try next weekend and I hope by then it won’t be too crowded.”
But Mrs Abosede Odunayo, described the initiative as a welcome development, explaining that she would take advantage of it and stock her home with food items.
“This is a welcome development. I will be at the one (discounted food market) near to me to buy food items. I am always afraid when it is time to buy foodstuffs because of their high prices. This time around, I believe I will smile home after my time at one of the markets,” Mrs Odunayo stressed.
Lagosians excited as govt begins “Ounje Eko” food markets today
News
Fubara: I have moved on with governance despite political pressure
Fubara: I have moved on with governance despite political pressure
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has asserted that despite the political turmoil in the state, his administration remains steadfast in providing focused leadership and governance.
During a recent meeting with members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, led by Chairman Hon. Mike Etaba, at the government house in Port Harcourt, Fubara emphasized that, as far as his administration and the people of Rivers State are concerned, there are no significant political issues to address.
Reflecting on the challenges posed by the political crisis, Fubara drew inspiration from a movie he watched, “Devil’s Advocate,” where he cited a quote by Al Pacino.
He said, “As far as we are concerned, there are no political issues. I saw a movie many years ago, entitled, ‘Devil’s Advocate.’ I believe some of you must have seen that movie too.
READ ALSO:
- FG begins disbursement of N50bn grant to small business owners
- Man confesses killing cousin, friend, body parts sold to ritualists
- Atiku alleges conflict of interest in Lagos-Calabar coastal highway contract
“One of the starring characters, Al Pacino, said that pressure makes some people retreat or fail, and to others, it makes them focus on succeeding. We have chosen to be focused under this pressure.
“That is why we are moving ahead, making a positive impact on the lives of our people. Governance is about the people, not about self.
“Governance is about touching the core needs of those we are leading, and by the special grace of God, we are doing it.”
“Yesterday, by the special grace of God, we observed the credit line of over 3,066 persons empowered. You can imagine what that will do for the economy of the masses and the state. That is touching the lives of our people. It does not support them for selfish reasons. It does not give a contract because I want somebody to fight somebody in my community. No. This is empowering the economy of the masses and the state.
“Our focus is that, no matter what anybody is doing anywhere, we will not lose focus. We want to leave here better than we met it. And we want to also leave here without fear of anything.”
Fubara: I have moved on with governance despite political pressure
News
FG begins disbursement of N50bn grant to small business owners
FG begins disbursement of N50bn grant to small business owners
The Federal Government, FG, says it has started disbursement of N50,000 grants to nano business entrepreneurs.
Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister for Industry, Trade, and Investment, verified this over the weekend, stating that no fewer than 200,000 small business owners have received the payment.
According to her, 800,000 others will receive their incentives before the program ends on May 31.
This will raise the total number of beneficiaries to 1,000,000 Nigerians, split across 774 local government areas.
She explained that about 3.6 million applications were received out of which the beneficiaries were selected randomly from among those who met the conditions.
The minister said N50 billion is available in the 2024 budget for disbursement.
The programme is one of the palliative measures announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a broadcast on July 31, last year to cushion the pains of petrol subsidy removal.
The President, in the broadcast, said: “Our administration recognises the importance of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and the informal sector as drivers of growth. We are going to energise this very important sector.”
READ ALSO:
- Presidency silent over Tinubu’s whereabouts after official trips abroad
- Shettima away to Texas for US-Africa Business Summit
- We’ve arrested seven suspected cultists, armed robbers in Anambra – Police
In the broadcast, the President also announced that 75 manufacturing firms will be given N1 billion single-digit interest loans each to reflate their businesses.
Dr. Uzoka-Anite, in response to enquiries by our reporter, said: “The application portal was closed at midnight on April 17. The portal had to be closed due to an overwhelming number of applications totalling over 3.6 million.
“The Bank of Industry is ensuring transparency and accountability in the N50 billion disbursement using NIN, BVN and bank account details for verification to prevent duplication.
“They will also perform physical enumeration to re-verify information, including taking photographs of beneficiaries.
“The time frame for disbursement is the end of May 2024. The requirement for determining the beneficiaries is not based on particular criteria. The goal is to reach 1,290 beneficiaries per local government area across the country totalling one million people.”
On why many of the beneficiaries have not been reached, she explained: “We acknowledge that some of the beneficiaries are getting alert while others are not.
“The disbursement is subject to verification of NIN, which became mandatory after the initial application phase which required only BVN.
“The selection is random and without human intervention from those who have passed their NIN and BVN verification.
FG begins disbursement of N50bn grant to small business owners
News
Atiku alleges conflict of interest in Lagos-Calabar coastal highway contract
Atiku alleges conflict of interest in Lagos-Calabar coastal highway contract
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu of giving priority attention to his personal business and those of his family members over national interest in the award of over $13bn Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to Hitech Construction Company Ltd.
Indeed, he alleged many issues were deliberately bypassed by the Tinubu regime to give the project to Hitech, the parent company of CDK Integrated Industries, where Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, is a director.
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, gave the comments on the project in a statement issued by Paul Ibe, his media aide, on Sunday.
Already, the Federal Government has commenced the construction of the 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal road, which is expected to run through the shoreline of beach resorts in Lagos while traversing eight other states.
The project has generated controversy about funding the businesses that would be affected by the construction and the timing of its implementation.
In his latest criticism of the project, Atiku said Seyi, the son of President Bola Tinubu, is a director on the board of CDK Integrated Industries, a subsidiary of the Chagoury Group, which is also the parent company of Hitech Construction Company Ltd.
The former vice-president cited a recent report by the Paris-based Africa Intelligence News Agency that Seyi is a formalised business partner with the owners of Hitech Construction Company Ltd.
Seyi is listed as a director on the website of CDK Integrated Industries.
CDK Integrated Industries manufactures ceramic tiles and sanitary towels and is one of several subsidiary companies under the Chagoury Group, including Hitech Construction Company Ltd.
He claimed the coastal highway project was “rushed and without a competitive bidding”.
He said, “Thanks to quality reporting by Africa Intelligence, our suspicions have been confirmed that Chagoury and Tinubu are indeed business partners and it has been formalized with Seyi on the board of one of Chagoury’s firms,” the statement reads.
“The awarding of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway was rushed; the environmental impact assessment report was not even completed; the right of way for the 700km stretch of the highway project was not secured; it was converted from a PPP to a government-funded project within the twinkle of an eye.
“The N500m that was approved by the National Assembly for the project was ignored, while over N1tn was released by Tinubu’s administration without approval from the National Assembly.
“To add insult to injury, this project that is being done in excess of $13bn was awarded without a competitive bidding.”
NAF airstrikes kill scores of terrorists in Borno, Niger enclaves
Edo 2024: Muslims demand fair representation in govt
Fubara: I have moved on with governance despite political pressure
-
News3 days agoLagos GDP hits N41tn, earns N433bn from IGR
-
International3 days agoDam collapses, death toll rises in Brazil floods
-
Entertainment23 hours agoNollywood veteran Shan George weeps as fraudster clears ₦3.6m from her account (VIDEO)
-
News2 days agoDon’t host US, French military bases in Nigeria, northern leaders warn Tinubu
-
International1 day agoGaza: Thousands rally for hostage deal as ceasefire talks continue
-
News3 days agoI never said I’m a billionaire— Ex-Anambra CP
-
Entertainment3 days agoSanwo-Olu appoints KWAM1’S daughter as aide
-
Sports1 day agoRonaldo’s hat-trick leads Al Nassr to 6-0 victory over Al Wehda