The Tomato Crates Dealers Association of Nigeria and the Amalgamated Union of Food Stuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria have issued a threat to halt tomato supply to Lagos State following the destruction of their goods. Alhaji Ahmed Alaramma, the National Chairman of the Tomato Crates Dealers Association, conveyed this warning during a press briefing in Zaria, Kaduna State, on Sunday,Daily Trust reports.
Alaramma disclosed that the destruction, which took place at Oke-Odo market in Lagos, resulted in the loss of over 60,000 empty tomato crates. He explained that while raffia baskets were initially used for transporting tomatoes to the south, they caused significant damages. Consequently, plastic crates were introduced to minimize damage and waste during the transportation of fresh tomatoes from the northern to the southern regions of Nigeria.
Highlighting the financial impact, Alaramma stated that the association, which comprises over 70 members, rents out the crates to tomato dealers nationwide, with a total of over 60,000 crates affected by the recent turmoil. He lamented that during the clash, area boys set fire to the crates and hindered efforts to extinguish it. Alaramma emphasized that there is concrete evidence supporting their claims.
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The Chairman emphasized that each empty crate is valued at N6000, resulting in a collective loss of over N360 million for the members. He appealed to the federal government, Lagos state government, and other relevant stakeholders to address the situation and provide compensation to alleviate the impact of the damage. Alaramma also indicated that the association has engaged its legal team to explore available legal options in the absence of a satisfactory response from the government.
Concluding the briefing, Alaramma warned that if no action is taken, they will be compelled to suspend tomato supplies to Lagos in response to the incident.
