By MERCY OMOIKE

The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has called for the replication of ‘Ounje Eko,’ Lagos Food Discount Market, nationwide, especially in South West states.

PAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Godwin Egbebe, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

NAN reports that the Ounje Eko scheme opened on March 17 across Lagos with 27 locations in Ikeja; six on Lagos Island; nine in Ikorodu; five in Epe and 10 in Badagry division.

Egbebe commended the Lagos State government on its food subsidy initiative, which opened only on Sundays, calling on other states to emulate the initiative.

“As an association we want to express our profound gratitude to the governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu and his team, especially the commissioner for agriculture for the Ounje Eko initiative.

“We have driven round all the food hubs across the local governments where they are situated, and the report is really encouraging,” he said.

He called on other governors across the country to replicate this initiative in their states to douse the tension over food inflation.

“We want, especially the governors in the South West geopolitical zone, to replicate the Ounje Eko template in their states.

“The positive impact of the Ounje Eko initiative is felt by both farmers and the consumers, but would have been better if other states emulated the initiative.

“Other state governments should take up the initiative and start their own food subsidy plans,” Egbebe said.

He also urged the Lagos State government to extend the period of the initiative as more residents of the state were still hungry.

“The initiative was meant to last for a period of three weeks, but an extension will really be beneficial.

“We want this initiative to be extended because the people are really hungry,” he said. (NAN)