Nigeria: Master bakers, caterers begin nationwide strike Feb 27

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Bakers and Caterers in Nigeria are embarking on a nationwide strike from February 27, 2024, over continued hardships and unfavoueable operating environment in the country.

The Chairman of the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria, AMBCN, in Kogi, Adeniyi Gabriel, disclosed this on Tuesday, at a press conference in Lokoja.

Adeniyi Gabriel quoted the National President of the Association, Mansur Umar, as stating the association’s position on the ease of doing business in Nigeria and the notice of total withdrawal of their services.

According to him, “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.

“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,”.