Due to the rise in baking supplies and the Nigerian government’s negligence and refusal to solve the issue, bakers and caterers on Friday threatened to halt production and withdraw their services nationwide.
The price of wheat, sugar, and other ingredients needed in the baking industry has increased, making many bakers unaffordable, according to a statement released by their national body, the Association of Master Bakeries and Caterers of Nigeria.
The statement stated they will go on strike because the price of baking supplies and equipment is intolerable and that they have been unsuccessful in getting the federal government to step in.
The statement said:
“Neglect of the Federal Government in addressing the challenges facing our sector as captured in our letters acknowledged by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Federal Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria and unproductive intervention of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
“Increase in prices of bakery materials especially flour and sugar having reached unprecedented levels, for example, flour is now between N25,000 and N27,500, so also other ingredients.
“The National Wheat Cultivation Committee already constituted is yet to be inaugurated after over one year.
“NAFDAC, SON, and NESREA have turned the bakers into money-making machines by charging our members outrageous levies even at this very challenging moment.
“Consequently, the NEC in session resolved that all zones, state, Local Governments and units of our association should commence full mobilisation of our members nationwide to embark on withdrawal of services starting from Wednesday, July 13, 2022, for an initial period of two weeks.”
Early last month, a UK based man lamented on social media after he discovered that a bread that sells for 1.7 pounds, about N900 in the United Kingdom is selling for a whooping N7, 500 in Nigeria.
The man said factoring in the cost of importation, the price of the bread should not exceed N900 in Nigeria and blamed price racketeering for the cut-throat price.
Many Nigerians questioned why the price of the bread is so high and if there is a price control organization in Nigeria.
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