Some weeks ago, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a media outing, unfolded his government’s plan to introduce “Sunday Markets” where staple food items procured by his government under special arrangements, would be sold to the residents at reduced prices.

The programme, which kicked off on Sunday, March 17, 2024 in some of the designated centres, will eventually spread to 57 locations across the state. The markets are open by 11am on Sundays and close by 4pm. The scheduling and aspects of the packaging of this grand palliative programme is done in such a way as to provide succour to the people in the face of the biting food inflation without undercutting those involved in the food business.

Some of the items sold in these markets include rice, beans, garri, bread, eggs, tomatoes, onions and peppers. To avoid racketeering or profiteering, a special voucher system is deployed to ensure that consumers buy a set amount of foodstuff per Sunday. The most interesting part of the arrangement is that the items are sold with 25 per cent price reduction.

This is a very innovative approach to alleviating the hardship and hunger ravaging the people in the wake of harsh economic policies which government deems necessary in order to return the economy to the path of recovery. We see it as potentially the best idea in hunger alleviation. It is far better than the so-called “conditional cash transfers” which are perceived as corrupt bazaars for well-connected politicians and government officials.

We are, however, worried about the implementation of this albeit laudable programme. Already, many people who visited the markets that have been opened have complained that the promised 25 per cent discounts were not forthcoming. We urge Governor Sanwo-Olu to look into this allegation and take steps to ensure that this promise to the people is faithfully kept.

We know how easy it is for a sound policy of this nature to be politicised and reduced to an instrument for ethnic and political discrimination, especially in Lagos in recent years. The Sunday Market initiative should be available to all comers, and every buyer must benefit from the discount. The LASG should endeavour to open the markets in all the locations designated for them as soon as possible to enable everyone benefit.

Governor Sanwo-Olu should also set up a stakeholder monitoring committee for each of these markets, among whom should be media, civil society and religious bodies’ representatives who should report directly to his office. Also, some telephone and WhatsApp lines should be provided to the public. This will enable the state government to effectively monitor how well the programme is going.

The LASG Sunday Market scheme is worthy of emulation by other states. It is a sound model of social welfare.

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