Sallah: Mokwa bridge collapse fuels tomato, pepper price surge

Tomatoes market

Less than 48 hours to Eid-el-Kabir, the prices of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and other perishables have suddenly soared in the aftermath of the collapse of the Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, which left hundreds of trucks conveying food items trapped.

Market sources say the price surge is as a result of the failed bridge and the Sallah celebrations, which begin on Saturday.

The bridge, a strategic gateway used by trucks conveying foodstuffs, livestock and other produce from the North to the southern parts of the country, was destroyed by last Thursday’s devastating flood, which killed over 200 people with hundreds of others unaccounted for.

The development has sparked anxiety over the disruption to the food supply chain as the Muslim faithful celebrate the Eid on Friday.

Also, the dealers in perishable foodstuffs, whose goods were stranded at the failed bridge, have lamented the unfortunate situation and the impact on their businesses, fearing huge financial losses.

Speaking to The PUNCH on Wednesday, the National President of the National Onion Producers Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Isa Aliyu, confirmed that trucks conveying onions to the South-West were trapped in Mokwa town.

At least 15 trucks loaded with tomatoes and pepper from Kebbi State are also marooned in Mokwa, the state Chairman, Tomatoes Traders Association, Alhaji Umarun Basiru, told The PUNCH. Punch