Tomato Crates Dealers Association of Nigeria and Amalgamated Union of Food Stuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria, on Sunday, threatened to cut tomato supply to Lagos State over destruction of their commodities during a clash in a market in the state.
National Chairman, Tomato Crates Dealers Association, Alhaji Ahmed Alaramma, issued this threat at a news conference in Zaria, Kaduna State.
According to him, over 60,000 empty tomato crates were destroyed during a violence that occurred at Oke-Odo market in Lagos.
Alaramma, who also doubles as the National Secretary of Amalgamated Union of Food Stuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria, said that raffia basket was initially used for conveying tomatoes to South, but this was causing more damages.
He said that the plastic crates were introduced to reduce the damage and wastage while conveying fresh tomatoes from North to Southern parts of Nigeria.
He said, “Over 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 north at the market during the turmoil.
“These crates were burnt by the area boys during the clash and the area boys prevented our people from quenching the fire. We have video evidence and other proof supporting our claims.”
He said each of the empty crates cost N6000, claiming that his members lost over N360m investment.
Alaramma appealed to the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and other relevant stakeholders to look into the matter and compensate the association to cushion the effect of the damage.
He said the association was already in touch with its legal team over available legal remedies in the event of unfavorable response from the government.
“If nothing is done, we will have no option than to cut supply of tomatoes to Lagos over this incident,” Alaramma said.
