Ogun State government has disclosed plan to implement a bulk purchase scheme, in order to resell foodstuffs at more affordable prices to the people, just as farmers’ market would soon commence across the state, towards addressing high cost of food items in markets.

The state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun revealed this during a meeting with market leaders, led by the Iyaloja General, Chief (Mrs.) Yemisi Abass, at the Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, stating that the Bulk Purchase Company had been rebranded and be called Gateway Trading Board.

"Gateway Trading Company will now assist in bringing food items to our teeming public at prices that will be far below what they can obtain the items themselves from the market’’.

"So, we are going to aggressively implement our Gateway Trading objectives which will first start in the four zones; they will buy in bulk and resell at prices that will be more affordable to our people", he said.  

Governor Abiodun added that a price control mechanism would be introduced, with the setting up of a market enforcement taskforce to oversee pricing activities across the state, saying all forms of coercion and intimidation by people, who add no value to markets across the state would be stamped out.

He directed that all forms of levies in the markets should be suspended, except the development and environmental levies that were meant for the progress of markets.

"A few things have been identified by way of illegal taxes that are being imposed, right there in the markets; loading taxes, discharge taxes, offloading taxes, illegal levies in the name of different people, from now on, we are putting a ban on such illegal levies in any market in Ogun State’’, he said.

The governor also cancelled all exorbitant and unbearable shop and stall rents imposed on traders, warning that anyone caught collecting illegal fees in markets across the state would face the full wrath of the law.

 The state helmsman informed that Ministry of Environment and Ogun State Waste Management Agency, in conjunction with Women Affairs and Social Development Ministry, would ensure effective management of wastes in markets, and make dumpsters readily available for regular pick-up.

In her remarks, Chief (Mrs.) Abass, who commended the governor for calling the meeting to deliberate on well-being of residents, promising that all traders would abide by all the resolutions.