In fulfilment of a promise he made during a live press conference, on the eve of the recent 10-days nationwide protest, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed that the Sunday market Ounjè Eko with 25% cut in prices should return on Sunday.
The Onje Eko Initiative is a part of Eko Cares, consisting of a wide range of interventions devised by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration in Lagos to cushion the effect of economic hardship occasioned by government reforms.
Other areas where the government announced intervention are transportation, education, health and agriculture among others.
The fuel subsidy removal had sparked a rise in cost of living. Mr. Sanwo-Olu announced a 50% cut in fares on it’s multi-modal transport platforms on February 8, 2023.
After a review of the situation, the fare slash was reduced to 25%. For six weeks, the Ounje Eko Sunday market that signalled the reduction of food by 25% ran at designated locations across 20 local government areas and council development areas.
Civil servants from levels one to 14 were asked to work thrice a week. A N35,000 wage award was also given to all civil servants. About 15,000 women from all the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas got N50,000 each to support their businesses.
Besides, Mr. Sanwo-Olu announced free delivery for expectant women in all government hospitals, among other initiatives.
To drive the initiatives, the Governor also set up a non-partisan Special Dispensation Advisory Council of eminent Nigerians, including rights activists, religious leaders, a youth representative, and opposition party chieftains. It is chaired by Mr. Governor; Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat is an alternate Chairman.
