Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN), has cried out that the BUA Group – IRS Flour Mill (owned by billionaire Abdulsamad Rabiu), Super Four Mill and Golden Confectionery are killing their businesses.
Gatekeepers News reports that the bakers who lamented that the hike in flour is badly affecting their businesses urged the Federal Government to wade into the matter before they lose their sources of livelihood.
The National Publicity Secretary of the association, Kabiru Hassan Abdullahi, in an exclusive chat with THE WITNESS on Monday, said that the price of flour was N9,500 not long ago but has skyrocketed to N16,200.
In his words: “The federal government should please come to our aid. The hike is killing our businesses and it’s sad they have refused to do anything about it.
“The increment is over 50 per cent and it’s even more saddening because even with the dollar exchange rate of N1 to over N500, we still bought flour at same N9,500; but why is it now that the rate has dropped that they increasing the price? This is pure wickedness.
“What Abdulsamad Rabiu of BUA Group, IRS, super and golden confectionery are doing is unhealthy for us and the Nigerian economy. In fact, they are planning to increase it again by N7, 000. Can you can imagine? he queried.
Abdullahi who doubles as the State secretary, Kano State branch, added that: “One thing they should know is that if we are scrapped out of the market, the rate of unemployment in the country will double up because many in their thousands will lose their jobs.
“We are still meeting and as things stand, we may have no choice than to embark on an indefinite strike.
Bread bakers and the Gurasa Bakers Association of Kano state had threatened to embark on indefinite strike if the flour companies (BUA Group – IRS, Super Mill and Golden Confectionery) fail to reverse the price of flour.
Gatekeepers News reports that Gurasa is a Kano indigenous local bread made up of flour that serves as one of the delicacies used by Hausa people in the state.
According to the chairperson of the Gurasa Bakers Association, Fatima Auwalu, nothing has changed since they called off the warning strike, rather, the price continues to increase day by day.
She further lamented that apart from the increase in the price of flour, the quality of the product has been reduced, saying “this has negatively impacted our business.”
