COVID 19: LASG Opens New Markets For Residents

By Fola James

Few hours after the Lagos state government debunked suggestions that it was closing all markets in the stste, it has opened new markets across some LGAs and CDAs.

What the government did not say, however, is whether items sold at these markets will be subsidized.

Demands have been made from government at state and federal levels to give palliatives to Nigerians to cushion the effects of the government stay-at-home order.

The state government had earlier shut all markets except those selling food and medicals.

Governor Babajde Sanwo-Olu said selected markets had been left open to prevent panic buying among residents who are trying to stock against any lock down by the government over the corona virus pandemic.

The government has now gone further to open some schools where food and agricultural items will now be sold to residents within the emergency period.

The school grounds, the state goverment said, will be used as temporary markets as part of measures to curb the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19),

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal disclosed this development, noting that 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.

According to him food markets have now been set up in the following LGAs :Mushin, Alimosho, Surulere, Ikeja, Apapa, Lagos Mainland, Eti-Osa, Surulere and Ifako-Ijaiye Local Governments.

The schools 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.

He said the Ministry of Agriculture, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, has put in place safety guidelines at each of the temporary food and agricultural markets, adding that strict adherence to safety measures by shoppers, especially social distancing between visitors to the specified locations are necessary..

The Commissioner said there is no need for panic buying by members of the public since the food and agricultural markets have been put in place to make shopping easy, adding that officials of the Nigeria Police and Neighbourhood Watch will ensure the maintenance of law and order at the various markets.

He, therefore, advised all residents to remain vigilanlance and observe all the precautionary measures outlined by the State to curb the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic