Bakers, Caterers Declare Nationwide Strike, Reveals Date

The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN) has formally announced a statewide strike that is scheduled to begin on February 27, 2024, which is a significant action that would influence the country’s food industry.

At a press conference in Lokoja, Adeniyi Gabriel, the Chairman of the AMBCN in Kogi, disclosed the decision, which underscores the association’s apprehensions about the difficult economic climate in Nigeria.

Mansur Umar, the National President of AMBCN, expressed the organization’s position on the challenges encountered in conducting business, pointing out the skyrocketing costs of necessary baking supplies such wheat, sugar, yeast, vegetable oil, petrol and diesel.

Prices of Bread, Biscuit To Double As Bakers Announce 30% Increase

The withdrawal of subsidies and the liberalisation of foreign exchange have resulted in significant price increases that have negatively impacted the baking sector.

Gabriel stated, “Due to the multifarious increase in the prices of baking materials such as-Flour, Sugar, Yeast, Vegetable oil, Petrol, Diesel (occasioned by subsidy removal and forex deregulation), multiple taxations from federal government agencies, the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria have critically accessed the state of our business operation, consequently demand the following:

“Liberalisation of flour and sugar importation, reduction or total removal of import duties on major baking materials such as flour, sugar, butter, yeast etc as applicable to other commodities as have recently been done by the federal government. Provision of concessionary forex exchange to flour millers and other stakeholders and reduction of tariff on imported wheat and sugar.

“Development of cultivation and processing of wheat and sugar cane in Nigeria, removal of multiple taxations both at the federal, state and local government levels, Immediate implementation of financial support palliatives for bakers as promised as post covid-19 support programmes for SMEs for bakers who have lost over 40% of her membership and still counting.

Expect Prices Of Bread To Increase By 50% – AMBCN Tell Nigerians

“Suspension of all forms of taxations on the bakery industry, for now, both at the federal, state and local government levels, set up a price control and monitoring committee as allowed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and other conditions that will enhance the ease of doing business in the country,”

Declaring their intention to stop providing services altogether on February 27, 2024, should the government not answer the issues brought up by Nigerian bakers, the AMBCN expressed their resolve.

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