The Tomato Crates Dealers Association of Nigeria and the Amalgamated Union of Food Stuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria have issued a warning to suspend tomato supply to Lagos State following a recent market clash in Oke-Odo.
Alhaji Ahmed Alaramma, the National Chairman of the Tomato Crates Dealers Association and the National Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Food Stuff and Cattle Dealers, expressed grave concern over the destruction of commodities during the clash.
Over 60,000 empty tomato crates were destroyed, resulting in significant financial losses to the association’s members.
Alaramma revealed that each empty crate costs N6,000, translating to over N360 million in total investment lost. These plastic crates were crucial for mitigating damage and wastage while transporting fresh tomatoes from the North to Southern parts of Nigeria.
The chairman stated, “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 the 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.”
The chairman emphasized that video evidence and other proof support their claims, and they are seeking intervention from the Federal Government, Lagos State government, and other relevant stakeholders for compensation to offset the damage.
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In the absence of a favorable response, Alaramma stated that legal action is being considered.
“If nothing is done, we will have no option than to cut the supply of tomatoes to Lagos over this incident,” Alaramma asserted.
