From Abiodun Oyewole, Lagos
Lagos bound train with various goods including fresh tomatoes arrived Lagos on Wednesday night after 58 years.
This feat is being recorded just days after Professor Yemi Osinbajo, flagged off the Lagos-Ibadan rail project.
This revelation was made by Emmanuel Itoya Ijewere, who is described as one of Nigeria’s eminent businessman with extensive experience and interest across the banking, finance and agricultural spectrum.
The report said Ijewere disclosed this at the First Bank’s maiden Agric Expo 2017, held at Eko Hotel and Suites, in Lagos state.
“The train left Kano at about 10am yesterday (Tuesday). As at 11am today Wednesday), it has arrived Osun and by 10pm this evening, it will be in Lagos. That is happening for the first time in 58 years”, he said.
“I want to thank those who have made it possible including the minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe. After this, it will now be weekly affairs. We will move a lot of these things conveniently,” the businessman said adding that the country lost 2.8 million tons of tomatoes in 2016 due to poor storage facility
“At N200, 000 per ton, the country lost tomatoes worth N5.6 billion in 2016 alone”, he explained.