Agingi Tomatoes Traders Decry Alleged Produce Theft, Insecurity

Yakubu Wuyep

 

The Women Leader of The Tomatoes Produce Buyers Association (TPBA) in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, known as Agingi Tomatoes Traders, Mrs. Florence Kumzhi, has made a passionate call on the local government Council to come to their rescue by deploying the necessary security agencies to monitor the affairs of the market.

The association had also noticed poor patronage and the high cost of shops sold by officials of the council, even though the market’s economic activities are yet to pick up.

 

The Tomatoes Produce Buyers Association (TPBA) in Bassa  Local Government Area of Plateau State also alleged about the persistent stealing of tomato produce without the necessary facilities to prevent theft and stealing.

 

The Women leader Mrs Florence Kumzhi made a passionate call on the local government Council to come to their rescue by putting the necessary security agencies to monitor the affairs of the market.

 

 

She stressed that they are coming from the Rukuba barracks, but the market is witnessing low patronage, as the situation is getting worse each market day.

 

 

Kumzhi noted that the overgrown grasses around the market also discourage traders coming from far to sell goods. We need a conducive environment for the market to thrive.

 

 

According to her, we need water, modern equipment, light, and the prices of shops should be made affordable for interested marketers to pay.

 

 

Meanwhile, Mrs. Jummai Bernard of the traders who spoke to Universal Reporters, said they are suffering from insecurity as she lost bags of fertilizers two days ago to criminals who broke into her shop.

 

 

She spoke to our correspondent on the high level of insecurity as she lost goods worth millions from criminal elements while calling for a police outpost for the market.

 

In an exclusive chat with our correspondent at the Agingi Tomatoes market on Tuesday, she said she lost valuables worth millions of naira as he hinted that said the growing insecurity and rising cases of goods theft across villages and towns within the local government area had been affecting their operations and businesses.

 

 

She said they also noticed that the authorities responsible for upgrading the tomato sellers cannot afford recreational facilities and safety in the market.

 

 

According to her, a report from the association’s task force revealed that tomato stock purchased around several villages was allegedly moved to the Farin Gada market.

 

 

Another trade expressed displeasure with the manner in which the indigenes are misbehaving, and that is gradually affecting the business traders across the council who are willing to come.

 

 

He said the major challenges of the Agingi Tomatoes Market is the high cost of acquiring a shop, which is very expensive to get, as he also hinted that money, the rising problem of insecurity within the market, has called for attention from the council

 

 

He appealed to the local authorities to improve the security and deploy a police outpost for the safety of the lives and property of the marketers.

 

 

Coach Bright lamented that the council is not helping them the traders to improve their wellbeing as he stressed that they are in need of assistance to boost their income.

 

 

He, however, said the association would be putting in place countermeasures to promote transparency and curb the activities of unscrupulous persons.

 

 

He said, “We intend to put a ban on the purchase of wet Tomatoes, as well as shifting it neighboring market. We also plan to stop the use of measuring bows for measurement instead of standard kilogrammes”.

 

 

He, therefore, called on local, state government to support the association’s efforts in tackling insecurity and the trade of Tomatoes.

 

 

He also appealed for agriculture empowerment initiatives for youth, the elderly, produce buyers, and farmers to strengthen the agricultural sector.

 

 

He emphasised that Plateau remains one of the largest Tomatoes producing State in Nigeria.

 

 

 

However, efforts to speak with the council Chairman Joshua Sunday Riti proved abortive at the time of filing this report

 

The council chairman’s phone rang twice, but he didn’t pick.