Ounje Eko: Buyers defy rain, troop to market

Buyers at the ongoing “Ounje Eko” discount market in Lagos State have continued to troop to the market as it enters its fourth week, following its inauguration on March 17.

A correspondent of the newsmen who visited the Ikoyi/Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Sunday reports that many buyers trooped into the market despite rain in the vicinity.

Many were seen with umbrellas coming to purchase the discounted food items.

Two of the buyers who spoke with newsmen expressed joy and gratitude for the opportunity to continue to purchase food items at cheaper and more affordable prices.

Mrs. Serifat Ibrahim said she defied the rain because the food items were cheap and it was worth the effort.

Ibrahim appealed to the government to continue the programme, saying it had been beneficial to the residents of the state.

“We want the market to continue because we are very happy and enjoy the affordability of the food items in this market.

“We thank the Governor, Mr. Babjide Sanwo-Olu, and the lawmaker representing Eti-Osa 02 Constituency, Mr. Gbolahan Yishawu, for this laudable programme,“ she said.

Another shopper, Mrs. Jemimah Halilu, also expressed joy for the opportunity to shop conveniently.

“Halilu said, “I thank our leaders for their support through this market programme.

“The items are accessible, affordable, and reasonable, especially at this challenging time of our economy.

“It has been an enjoyable shopping experience for me, and I urge our leaders to do more of these kinds of programmes that cater for the wellbeing of the people.”

In her remarks, the market leader of Ikoyi/Obalende LCDA, Mrs. Olabisi Rita-Louise, said the programme had been well organised since its inception.

Rita-Louise, who also works at the Ministry of Agriculture, commended the shoppers for being orderly in purchasing the food items and cooperative with the organisers of the programme.

“The people are very happy and have cooperated well with the organisers; I know that it can be crowded, but we have been able to sort people out.

“There is more than enough to go around as approved by the governor,“ she said.

Supreme News reports that the government inaugurated the market on March 17 across 27 locations in Ikeja, Lagos Island, Ikorodu, Epe, and Badagry divisions.

The market, which is to open on Sundays for six weeks, makes food items such as rice, eggs, beans, and garri, among others, available at a 25 percent discounted price.