LAGOS ISLAND EAST LCDA MARKS 20TH EDITION OF COMMUNITY MARKET, CLOSE TO 100,000 BENEFICIARIES AS RESIDENTS ENDORSE FOLAWIYO FOR SECOND TERM

December 10, 2024December 10, 2024 admin 0 Comments

By Taiwo Olapade

The 22nd of December 2021 will forever be remembered as the day Lagos Island East LCDA took a bold step to combat hunger among residents by launching the Community Market initiative.

This program provides residents the opportunity to purchase staple food items, including rice, yam, beans, garri, semovita, pepper, eggs, groundnut oil, and live chicken, at highly subsidized prices.

Regularly hosted at Christ Church Cathedral School on Broad Street, the market allows residents to buy these items at over 70% discount.

The initiative, introduced under the leadership of the council chairman, Mayor Muibi Alade Folawiyo, has attracted widespread recognition and awards, including commendations from the Lagos State Government.

To date, close to 100,000 residents have benefited from this initiative, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis using pre-distributed tickets, ensuring fairness and inclusivity regardless of religious, political, or ethnic affiliations.

Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, who attended several editions of the market, described it as a model worth emulating by other local governments across Nigeria.

She commended the initiative for its timeliness, especially in addressing rising food prices, and assured the council of the state government’s support in sustaining the laudable program.

Residents of the council, who are the primary beneficiaries, expressed immense gratitude for the initiative, describing it as the most impactful since the council’s creation in 1999. They lauded the leadership of Mayor Muibi Alade Folawiyo and prayed for his re-election to ensure the program’s continuity.

Speaking about the origin of the initiative, Mayor Folawiyo attributed it to his upbringing in a market environment, which earned him the nickname Pepper. He assured residents that the Community Market would not be a one-off exercise but a legacy project designed to outlive his administration and benefit future generations.

On November 7, 2024, the council celebrated the 20th edition of the Community Market. Mayor Folawiyo described it as a significant milestone in addressing the core needs and aspirations of the people.

He expressed gratitude to the legislative arm of the council, its management, staff, and residents for their unwavering support of his administration over the past three years.

The Mayor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructural renewal, which he believes will ultimately enhance the quality of life for residents.

Thanks to the visionary leadership of Lagos Island East LCDA, which launched the Community Market three years ago, the Federal Government has also introduced various palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.