The Tomato Crates Dealers Association of Nigeria has warned that they may reduce tomato supply to Lagos State due to the reported destruction of their products.
The National Chairman of the association, Alhaji Ahmed Alaramma, announced this during a press conference in Zaria on Sunday.
Alaramma, who also serves as the National Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria, mentioned that the conflict at Ile-Epo Market in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos state, starting on May 1, resulted in the destruction of their investment in over 60,000 empty tomato crates.
He explained that the raffia basket was originally used for transporting tomatoes to the south, but it ended up causing more damage to the tomatoes, leading to the introduction of plastic crates.
“More than 70 members of the association rent out the crates to tomato dealers across the country; we have over 60,000 crates which were about to be returned to the north at the market during the turmoil.
“These crates were set on fire by the ‘area boys’ during the clash, and they prevented our people from extinguishing the fire.
“We have audio-visual and other evidence supporting our claims,” the chairman stated.
He mentioned that each empty crate costs N6,000; thus, members suffered over N360 million in losses.
However, he urged the Federal Government, Lagos State Government, and other relevant stakeholders to address the issue and compensate the association in order to alleviate the impact of the damage.
Alaramma mentioned that the association had already contacted its legal team regarding potential legal recourse if the government's responses are unfavorable.
“If no action is taken, we will have no choice but to reduce the supply of tomatoes to Lagos due to this incident,” he stated.
A part of Ile-Epo Market was on Wednesday evening set on fire as hoodlums clashed, resulting in many injuries and the destruction of some goods.
Following the clash, the Nigerian Police Force arrested 50 people in connection to the incident.
NAN
