Bad trucks threaten Maiduguri orange dealers

Speaking at the headquarters of the association in Gamboru market, Malam Mala said, “because of their perishable nature, once oranges have been loaded onto a vehicle, it is very important that it does not exceed the normal one day and a half journey because once it exceeds this duration, the oranges can easily be destroyed […]

Speaking at the headquarters of the association in Gamboru market, Malam Mala said, “because of their perishable nature, once oranges have been loaded onto a vehicle, it is very important that it does not exceed the normal one day and a half journey because once it exceeds this duration, the oranges can easily be destroyed by moisture, heat or dampness.

“When the vehicles breakdown, most times, the drivers travel to the nearest town to get a mechanic to fix it. Most times, the vehicles have to be off-loaded and the owner would start battling with how to ensure that they do not rot. And in situations where the breakdown might not require off-loading, the fact that the vehicle is stationary does not allow free circulation of air, which is required to keep the oranges fresh. Because heat is generated from both the engine and the sun, the problem is further compounded. Worse of all is that, if it rains and the oranges get wet, the bags become humid and the loss is huge. In the end, the owner of the orange is the one who suffers,” he lamented.

The secretary told Kanem Trust that they have to transport the oranges from Benue State , across over 1,000 kilometers and pay not less than one thousand naira per bag, depending on the distance from the orchards to the point of purchase, adding that the oranges had to be first moved to locations convenient for loading, away from the orchard.