Lagos State sets up makeshift markets for food, agric produce in selected schools

• Ikeja Electric closes offices partially to safeguard customers, staff
• DisCo, IBEDC promise continuous power supply, fault clearing

As part of efforts to ensure Lagos residents do not negatively feel the impact of the closure of markets by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the state government has set up makeshift markets for food and agricultural produce in selected schools across local councils in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Gbolahan Lawal, who disclosed this yesterday, said that the setting up of the makeshift markets was to provide Lagosians access to food supplies during this restrictive period to prevent panic-buying.

In a statement, the commissioner gave the list of local councils where the makeshift food and agricultural markets would be set up as Mushin, Alimosho, Surulere, Ikeja, Apapa, Lagos Mainland, Eti-Osa, Surulere and Ifako-Ijaiye.

According to him, the makeshift food and agricultural markets would be located in Bishop Aggey 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, among others.

Lawal stressed that his ministry along with the Ministry of Health had put in place safety guidelines at each of the makeshift food and agricultural markets but urged for strict adherence to safety measures by shoppers and necessary precautionary measures of social distancing.

In another development, an electricity distribution company, Ikeja Electric, yesterday said that no physical transaction of business would take place across its offices in its franchise network for one week.

It said the closure began on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

Besides, the company has assured customers that services, including supply of electricity to customers, fault clearing, online channels for purchase of energy credits and payment of bills are unaffected by the temporary closure.

In a similar vein, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) yesterday re-stated its commitment to ensure regular power supply in the event of a national shutdown due to COVID-19 in Nigeria.

In a statement by its Lead Media Relations Manager, Miss Busolami Tunwase, the distribution company said its statutory duty would not be crippled by the pandemic.