The Tomato Crates Dealers Association of Nigeria has threatened to cut tomato supply to Lagos State over the alleged destruction of its goods.
Its national chairman, Ahmed Alaramma, issued the threat during a news briefing in Zaria on Sunday. Mr Alaramma is also the national secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria.
He said the clash at Ile-epo Market in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, which began on May 1, had destroyed their investment in over 60,000 empty tomato crates.
Mr Alaramma said the raffia basket was initially used to convey tomatoes to the south. However, it caused more damage, hence the introduction of plastic crates.
“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 they prevented our people from quenching the fire. We have audio-visual and other proof supporting our claims,” the chairman said.
According to him, each empty crate costs N6,000; therefore, members lost over N360 million in investment.
He appealed to the federal and Lagos State governments and other relevant stakeholders to investigate the issue and compensate the association to cushion the damage.
Mr Alaramma said the association was already in touch with its legal team regarding available legal remedies in the event of unfavourable responses from the government.
“If nothing is done, we will have no option than to cut the supply of tomatoes to Lagos over this incident,” he said.
A section of Ile-Epo Market was on Wednesday evening set on fire as hoodlums clashed, leaving many people injured while some goods were destroyed in the process.
(NAN)