The Ramadan edition of the emergency neighbourhood food markets, instituted to alleviate the effects of the lockdown and promote social distancing in the fight against COVID-19 in Lagos, comes up on Wednesday, 22nd April, 2020.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, disclosed on Monday that the neighbourhood food markets will hold in 27 selected public schools within 14 Local Government Areas of the State.
Lawal pointed out that the neighbourhood food markets were basically set up to provide Lagosians access to food supplies during the lockdown, with a view to preventing panic buying as a result of the closure of markets and stores trading in non-essential commodities.
He added that the makeshift markets within the neighbourhood are platforms for families that do not have the capacity to buy foodstuff in bulk during the current lockdown in the State.
The Commissioner explained that the markets would enable shoppers to buy produce and other everyday needs such as beverages, vegetables, fish, poultry products, bread and other essential needs at competitive, affordable and farm gate prices.
According to him, the selected schools within which the markets are situated are St. Judes Primary School, Ilasamaja; Ilupeju Primary School, Town Planning Way, Ilupeju; Papa Ajao Primary School all in Mushin Local Government; Local Government Primary School, Idimu; Meiran Community Primary School, Meiran in Alimosho Local Government area; Sijuade Primary School, Ijesatedo; Lagos Progressive Primary School, Mbah Street, Surulere; Obele Secondary School, Lawanson; and Aguda Grammar School, Aguda in Surulere Local Government.
Others are Ikeja Primary School; Opebi Primary School, Ikeja; United Christian Primary School, Marine Beach; Ijora Oloye Primary School; Ire Akari Nursery and Primary School II, Iganmu, Apapa Local Government Area of the State; St. Jude Primary School, Ebute Meta; Fagba Junior Grammar School, Iju; Stadium Junior Grammar School, Ifako; Ikota Primary School, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ikota; St George’s Primary School, Ikoyi; Araromi Baptist School, Beckley Road; Lagos Island; St. Emmanuel Primary School, Ogudu; Ajao Estate School, Anthony; Sam Ethnan Airforce Base, Ikeja and Ejigbo Model Primary School, Ejigbo.
He outlined other schools as St. Theresa Roman Catholic Primary School, Epe; Awolowo Way, Oke Oyinbo, Epe; Anglican Primary School, Aradagun/Mosafejo Aworo/Ajido Road, Badagry; and Government Technical College, Awolowo Way, Oke Ota-Ona, Ikorodu.
The Commissioner, therefore, urged Muslims to use the opportunity of this year’s Ramadan for inner reflection, self-discipline and self-improvement by offering prayers to God for an end to the current global COVID-19 pandemic.
Lawal also advised residents of the State to take individual responsibility during this lockdown period by acting positively so that the chain of COVID-19 transmission can be broken in the State.
