The protest was sequel to a letter addressed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on February 12, stating that the group’s protest would be at all state government houses and the National Assembly.
Nigerian bakers under the umbrella of the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN), have staged a nationwide peaceful protest over the rising cost of production, inflation and hardship in the country.
The protest was sequel to a letter addressed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on February 12, stating that the group’s protest would be at all state government houses and the National Assembly.
It was reported that the AMBCN said the protest was to “Drive home demands to save the baking industry from the imminent collapse which may add to the heightened security situation of our dear country.”
The association had also on February 10, announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike from February 27 if President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government fails to meet their demands.
The association said that the decision to withdraw services was as a result of the rising costs of essential baking materials, including flour, sugar, yeast, vegetable oil, petrol, and diesel.
They further expressed concern over multiple taxations from various government agencies, as well as escalating business costs within Nigeria.
According to TheCable, the AMBCN also asked for the liberalisation of flour and sugar importation, a reduction or total removal of import duties on major baking materials, and provision of concessionary foreign exchange (FX) to flour millers and stakeholders.
They also demanded a temporary suspension of all forms of taxation on the bakery industry at the federal, state, and local government levels; a reduction in tariff on imported wheat and sugar.
The AMBCN further called for the development of wheat and sugar cane cultivation and processing within Nigeria, calling for the immediate implementation of the promised financial support as part of the post-COVID-19 palliatives for small and medium enterprises, especially for bakers who have suffered a substantial membership loss exceeding 40 percent.
The AMBCN said it believes that in the meantime, meeting their demands will not only mitigate the adverse effects of rising costs of living but also enhance the ease of doing business in the country.