The Association of Nigeria Tyre Marketers (ANTM), operating mainly in Africa Tyre Village, Trade Fair, Lagos, have called on the federal government, being their landlord, to assist them with rent waivers because of the losses recorded during the year as a result of the Abule-Ado tank farm blast, covid-19 Lockdown and now protests and lootings.
The President of the association, Alhaji Issa Akanbi, confirmed to Transport Day that part of the African Tyre village buildings were affected by the Abule-Ado tank farm blast and “we have made an appeal to both Lagos and Federal governments to come to our aid but to our greatest surprise, no reply has been made so far by both governments.”
Alhaji Issa Akanbi, noted that, “after new year’s celebration, we all came back to face our normal daily activities only to meet difficulties from left and right. In February ending, the Covid19 pandemic broke out and we were locked down for over four months without buying and selling. After the pandemic, we were faced with “one day on and one day off.
“We cannot travel to China, Thailand, India and others where we buy products, Revenue became unbalanced and all these were what we are facing since this year.”
He said that it will also be of importance if the federal government can help them and waive this year’s rent off, stating that the association and its members has gone through hell and lots of challenges and need to be considered.
The President further said that all their programmes for the rest of the year has been cancelled.
He said “we as an association, train and settle over 20 boys annually to become their own boss and to this regard, we also need government assistance, because the cost of training and raising people is high.
The association also appealed to Federal government to look into opening the land borders for businesses to flourish in Nigeria since nothing has changed with the closure of land borders, otherwise increasing prices on products.
“We also want Federal government to do something fast, on Mile2 – Badagry road leading to the border since it is ECOWAS road, because the effect of that road is crippling businesses and something must be done as a matter of urgency.”
