The National President of the Tomato and Orchard Producers Association of Nigeria (TOPAN), Bola Oyeleke, endorses the initiative by the Federal Government and the Nigeria Governors' Forum to remove unauthorized checkpoints and standardize levies nationwide. In an interview, Oyeleke emphasized that these measures target the agricultural value chain issues.
Oyeleke stated, "Illegal checkpoints have been disturbing the agricultural sector. They delay the movement of perishable goods like tomatoes and vegetables, cause damage due to lateness, and lead to significant losses." He elaborated on how roadblocks affect logistics, leading to extortion and harassment of truck drivers, which sometimes cause accidents and damage to transported goods. "It is not only about extorting money. These people are very brutal to truck drivers. When the drivers try to avoid them, it can lead to serious accidents," Oyeleke commented.
The burden of multiple taxation on roads and in markets is also an ongoing issue. Oyeleke called for a centralized taxation system to replace existing fragmented levies, which weigh heavily on the supply chain from farmers to marketers. He remarked, "If the government can centralize and harmonize all these, it will be easier for farmers, marketers, and transporters to do business without fear or unnecessary losses."
Oyeleke pointed out the negative impact of these practices on food prices and farmer profitability. Middlemen adjust for transportation and checkpoint costs, forcing small-scale farmers to sell at reduced prices. "The small-scale farmer is forced to sell at very low prices just to ensure their goods can make it to major markets," he noted. Structural reforms like eliminating illegal checkpoints and streamlining taxation are essential for improving conditions in the agricultural sector.
Source: Nigerian Tribune
