The Lagos State Government has announced the decision to put on hold the OUNJE EKO Initiative with a promise to address all concerns identified by the Market Leaders and other major stakeholders in centres across the metropolis.
The. State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya gave this indication at the strategic meeting with the Ounje Eko Market Leaders held at the Food Hub, Idi-Oro, Mushin.
She explained that the decison by government to put the iniative on hold was to work on feedback from major stakeholders in order to improve on service delivery to residents.
Olusanya said that government had initiated various programmes in boosting food production adding the huge crowd at various centres was as a result of acceptability of the initiative.
According to her, crowd management is equally the responsibility of all while commending some House of Assembly members for coming to the rescue at different times.
The Commissioner noted that government did a buy back from some Vendors during the first phase of the programme which kicked off in March adding the second phase that started on September first is work in progress.
According to her, the resumption of schools for a new session could also be responsible for the shortage in items experienced in some centres since same Vendors will share between them and the schools.
She assured that government had stepped into the report of delay in the payment of Vendors in order not to affect the 25% cut enjoyed by residents adding payment solution around reconciliation had also been addressed.
Working with security agencies including, Police, Neighbourhood, KAI, AWMA has been encouraging but not easy as they go round and resolve issues whenever they arises.
The commissioner disclosed that the extension of the OUNJE EKO programme to Tertiary institutions had been commended but however said that the state require more hands to open new centres.
Earlier, the Drector of Agric Services, Isolo Local Government, Mr Raji Olusegun called the attention of the Commossioner to the challenges in crowd control adding more residents storms the centre to purchase food items more than those available for sale.
He however commended the state government for initiating the programme to alleviate the sufferings of the people in the wake of the fuel subsidy removal.
On his part, Mallam Abubakar who is a Rice Vendor from Lagos Mainlnad also expressed delight with the programme but demanded for quick disbursement of funds to them in order to provide the food items for sale.
He equally noted that government should improve on security deployment around the centres due to number of residents coming to buy and those with sinister motives
For Sadiq Aremu who spoke on behalf of the Youth Council from Ojokoro area of the state want the state to focus more on food production since there are increasing demands for what residents will consume at the moment.
He also charged the state government to plan beyond the present challenges adding the flood that ravaged some parts of the country and conflicts between nations will further escalate food crisis globally.
The OUNJE EKO initiative which has now been put on hold was introduced by the state government to allow residents purchase food items including: Rice, Beans, yam flour, Garri, Pepper, Egg, yam at 25% discount.
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