Lagos Temporary Food Market: Equal Distribution Equates Inclusiveness

As Lagos State Government continues execution of its strategies and programmes for the effective containment of COVID-19, Nigerians have called on the state governor, Mr Sanwo-Olu Babajide and other government officials in charge of the temporary food market distribution to ensure equal distribution of the market in the state.

This was gleaned from the analysis of 25 people’s views expressed on the programme by Knowcovid-19 Nigeria, a group of volunteers working on analysis and presentation of issues and needs on the virus using a data-driven approach. 

It would be recalled that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu directed that some school grounds in the state should be used as temporary markets as part of measures to curb the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). According to Prince Gbolahan Lawal, the Commissioner for Agriculture, “the markets were set up to provide Lagosians access to food supplies during this restriction period in order to prevent panic buying after the directive that all markets and stores trading in non-essential commodities be closed.” 

Lawal outlined the Local Governments where the food and agricultural markets would be set up; Mushin, Alimosho, Surulere, Ikeja, Apapa, Lagos Mainland, Eti-Osa, Surulere and Ifako-Ijaiye Local Governments.

According to him, the schools identified for food and agricultural markets are – Bishop Aggrey Primary School, Ilasamaja; Ajenifuja Primary School, Ilupeju, Mushin; Papa Ajao Primary School, Ladipo Street, Mushin; Akin Ogun Primary School, Mosan; Meiran Community Primary School, Meiran; and Animashaun Primary School, Ijeshatedo off Omilani Street, Surulere.

Others are Ikeja Primary School, Ikeja; Opebi Primary School, Opebi, Ikeja; Anglican Primary School, Marine Beach, Apapa; St. Jude’s Primary School, Ebute- Metta; St. George’s Boys Primary School, Falomo; Community Grammar School, Adelabu, Surulere; Obele Secondary School, Adelabu, Surulere; Fagba Junior Grammar School, Ifako-Ijaiye; and Stadium High School, Ifako.

Reacting to the programme, one of the people who commented on the state government’s official Facebook page notes that “densely populated areas like Ejigbo, Ikotun, Ijegun, Igando, Idimu and Egbeda should be a priority.” Another follower asked “What happens to Egbe Idimu if you can’t cover all the areas you don’t need to announce the Market.” He notes further that the market should be located in two schools in  each Local Council Development Authority. 

In a speech after President Muhammadu Buhari’s national broadcast, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stresses his government’s commitment to address “the hitches noticed in the distribution of the food package so as to make the exercise healthier and more dignifying.”