The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has inaugurated a new Fresh Food Market in Mushin, which will help expand the food supply chain.
The Iyaloja of Mushin has expressed gratitude, stating that the Governor has reciprocated the support with goodwill. This initiative is part of the Governor's efforts to provide relief to low-income traders and mitigate the impact of the current economic situation.
The implementation of Lagos Market Trader Money by the Governor aims to offer financial assistance to 15,000 traders who are facing challenges in their businesses.
In the initial stage, each trader will receive N50,000 grants, and this initiative will be spread across all 57 Local Government Areas in the State.
Sanwo-Olu made known the program in Idi-Oro, Mushin, where he headed a delegation, including the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and other members of the cabinet, to inaugurate a recently constructed intermediate-level Fresh Food Agro hub developed by the State Government in order to maintain the food supply chain.
The Governor revealed that representatives of the most influential individuals in each council were requested to select 200 participants from each community market in all the councils.
The selected participants would include individuals from both large and small markets.
The Governor stated that the distribution of funds to the beneficiaries would commence on Monday, with the Ministry of Agriculture in charge of coordinating the payment.
He stated that in order to mitigate the impact of the present economic situation, they have devised a plan to assist low-income individuals engaged in micro and small businesses who are facing difficulties.
They are introducing the Lagos Market Trader Money program today, which aims to provide relief to local market traders. "The initial group of 15,000 recipients will receive a financial aid of N50,000 from the State Government.
Traders operating in large markets are not eligible for this program.
Administrators of community markets in the 57 local councils will provide a list of 200 individuals, which will be distributed among 10 markets within each area.
Additionally, the Iyaloja and Babaloja (market leaders) will individually select another 50 beneficiaries."
Sanwo-Olu stated that the program would be expanded to include markets located in military and police barracks, reaching a total of 750 individuals who would benefit from the grant support.
The Governor expressed that with the opening of the middle-level Fresh Food Agro Market in Mushin, his administration has reached another significant achievement in its pursuit of achieving food security.
He emphasized that this facility, being the first of its kind in the State, marks a crucial moment in the transformation of Lagos' food distribution system and the modernization of existing markets.
In 2021, the Sanwo-Olu government started a plan to create an organized network for food security and distribution in Lagos. As part of this initiative, they began building a Food Security Systems and Central Logistics Park in Ketu-Ereyun, Epe.
This facility will act as a central hub and cater to middle-level markets in various Local Government Areas.
The State Government intends to establish 50 agro hubs at the intermediate level, and the Governor has revealed that preparations are being made to construct three of these markets in Agege, Ajah, and Abule Ado.
Sanwo-Olu mentioned that his government implemented a food system transformation plan to enhance the current market system in Lagos. He noted that the market system in the city was plagued by issues such as wastage, post-harvest losses, traffic congestion, and logistical inefficiencies.
These challenges often led to the loss of more than 50% of perishable agricultural products.
He expressed that the inauguration of the middle-level Agro Produce hub in Idi Oro, Mushin marks a significant step towards accomplishing their goals of food security.
This hub, being the first of its kind in the State, signifies a significant shift in the State's food distribution system.
This progress is dependent on their five-year Agricultural Food System Roadmap, which demonstrates their strong dedication to enhancing food production, processing, and marketing.
The roadmap prepares the groundwork for intervening directly, collaborating strategically, and establishing connections with the private sector, financial institutions, foreign investors, and multilateral agencies.
Our food system is divided into the Central Logistics Hub, the Mid-level Agro-produce Hub, and the Last Mile Food Distribution outlets.
It is crucial to tackle the main issue of food supply system inefficiencies that have been identified in the current market system. "The outcomes of these initiatives have consistently led to a boost in food production.
The establishment of an intermediate-level Agricultural Produce hub aims to facilitate the advancement, restructuring, and implementation of cutting-edge data-based food and agriculture systems, allowing participants in the marketing process to collaborate more effectively.
Additionally, this initiative will help tackle current market obstacles such as insufficient infrastructure, scarcity of food, excessive fragmentation, and the need for standardization."
Ms. Abisola Olusanya, the Commissioner for Agriculture, stated that the Fresh Food market at the middle-level stage aims to reduce losses and avoid wastage by optimizing the storage of both wet and dry food items.
She further mentioned that this marketplace has effectively tackled the issue of unhygienic food displays by traders.
Additionally, it allows consumers to take advantage of economies of scale and purchase larger quantities of fresh agricultural products at affordable prices.
"This initiative provides customers with a novel shopping experience for fresh agricultural products in a secure setting that meets their requirements.
Governor Sanwo-Olu is leading the way in the development of a sustainable food production and supply system.
It is crucial for our country to prioritize food security, and this approach represents the appropriate course of action," stated the Commissioner.
Alhaja Taibat Borokinni, the leader of the traders in Mushin, accompanied her fellow traders to visit the Governor as a gesture of gratitude for the successful construction of the market and the implementation of the palliative program.
She expressed that today it is our opportunity to take advantage of the positive action initiated by our Governor in order to enhance our markets.
This act is a response to our support for the Governor, and we have always been satisfied with our choice.
Additionally, we will continue to endorse other endeavors aimed at improving the livelihoods of individuals involved in market activities.
Hon. Toyin Fayinka, the representative of Mushin Federal Constituency 2, expressed gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu for overseeing the successful completion of the market project.
He acknowledged that Mushin holds the distinction of being the initial council to actualize the Governor's food security vision.
Fayinka stated that this serves as a reminder to other Local Governments about the importance of implementing projects like this within their areas to assist in promoting the State Government's food security agenda.
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