The Ilupeju secretariat of Odiolowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development was a beehive of activities on Saturday, 8 June, 2024 as residents stormed the secretariat to buy subsidized food items procured by the Rasak Ajala led administration.
As early as 7am, the secretariat was packed full of people from all parts of the state who came to buy the food items.
According to the Council Chairman, Honourable Razaq Olusola Ajala, the essential but common food items were being on sale on 50 percent discount from their current market value.
Items offered for sale at 50 percent reduced price are: garri, rice, pepper, onion, bread, and egg.
For instance, biggest-size loaf of bread sold at N1,200 outside was sold for N500 while a crate of egg went for N2,000 against more than N4,000 outside. A colour paint of garri was sold for N2,000 while same is N4,000 in the market.
The Council Chairman, Honourable Ajala; his Vice, Honourable Seyi Jakande; the Council Manager, Mrs Otenaike; and council officials were on ground to make the event a seamless exercise.
In spite of the huge crowd of people, there was a seamless arrangement where intended buyers collect a ticket which would allow them to proceed to the paying counters manned by council staff and pay for their desired food items, from where they are issued receipts which are taken to the food items points to collect their purchased items.
“Our intention is to subsidized the cost of essential but common food items for our people,” Ajala told our correspondent.
According to him, his administration made provision for more than 5,000 residents hence there is no need for shoving and pushing by residents.
“Just be orderly, collect your ticket, pay for your goods and leave to create space for others. There is no cause for alarm, we have made provision for a high number of people. The number of people here cannot exhaust what we have provided for,” he told the residents when he addressed them at the commencement of the programme.
Mrs Adeola Adesida, who said she came all the way from Surulere, told our correspondent that she came as early as 6am and that she was this, one of the first to be attended to.
“I came all the way from Surulere, I came early hence I was one of the first to be attended to. It was seamless and without discrimination. I must appreciate Honourable Ajala for this gesture. This is unprecedented. No discrimination whatsoever. Just get your ticket, pay for your goods, collect your receipt and proceed to the selling points to collect your purchases,” she said.
Most of those who spoke with our correspondent expressed appreciation to the Odiolowo/Ojuwoye LCDA boss for putting up the programme noting that he has always been committed to the welfare of the people.
Over 4,601 residents from across the state benefitted from the programme.
