Cost Of Living: Ogun Plans Bulk Food Sales, More Buses

The Ogun State Government plans to introduce a bulk food purchase scheme to reduce the cost of essential commodities and expand its mass transit fleet to ease transportation costs for workers and other residents.

Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the plans during a stakeholders’ meeting with organised labour representatives from the Ijebu axis in Ijebu-Ode, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and improving living conditions across the state.

The proposed food purchase scheme will be implemented through the planned Gateway Trading Corporation, allowing residents to access essential food items and household commodities at more affordable prices.

Abiodun said the initiative was conceived in response to the rising cost of living, following a suggestion by the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Hameed Ademola-Benco.

He explained that bulk purchasing would enable the government to negotiate better prices for essential commodities and provide relief to households struggling with rising food costs.

According to the governor, the initiative could also encourage traders to review their prices as the availability of cheaper commodities through the government-backed platform stimulates competition in the open market.

Abiodun assured labour leaders that his administration would work towards making the scheme operational.

On transportation, the governor promised to increase the number of mass transit buses available to government workers and members of the public.

He said the planned expansion followed concerns raised by organised labour over the need for more buses to ease daily commuting, reduce transport costs and improve movement across the state.

Abiodun also addressed concerns over leave allowance and the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), assuring labour representatives that the issues were receiving attention.

On education, the governor described teachers as indispensable to Ogun State’s development, noting that their responsibilities extended beyond classroom instruction to character formation, discipline and preparing young people for leadership.

He said the quality of education depended largely on teachers’ competence and commitment, adding that their influence helped shape the future of individuals and the nation.

Abiodun disclosed that his administration had constructed and renovated about 1,600 classrooms, employed hundreds of teachers over the past seven years and introduced reforms to improve teaching and learning in public schools.

He commended Ogun teachers for their performance, which he said had earned them recognition and awards at national and international levels.

The governor also praised students from the state for their achievements in academic competitions and educational assessments, describing their performance as a reflection of the efforts of government, teachers, parents and other stakeholders.

He said the meeting was organised to appreciate labour’s support since the beginning of his administration and provide an opportunity to discuss issues affecting workers and the wider public.

Abiodun commended the labour leaders for their contributions and suggestions, stressing that regular consultations were essential to developing policies that addressed the needs of residents.

In their separate remarks, the state NLC Chairman, Hameed Ademola-Benco; Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Akeem Lasisi; and Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Chairman, Sewakanu Noah, alongside other labour leaders, commended the governor for what they described as development across various sectors.

They acknowledged the administration’s payment of salaries and allowances, regular promotions and settlement of outstanding gratuities and pensions.

The labour leaders, however, called for a review of the Contributory Pension Scheme, the establishment of a Ministry of Labour Affairs and increased subventions to tertiary institutions.