By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
A faction within the bakery industry, led by the Supreme Bakers and Confectioners Association of Nigeria, has expressed opposition to the proposed bakers’ nationwide strike.
The nationwide strikes was scheduled to commence on Tuesday.
The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria had on February 14 declared a nationwide down tool.
The protest is to pressure the Federal Government into fulfilling agreements made in 2020.
Central to their demands was the request for the suspension of various taxes imposed on bakery operators across Federal, State, and Local Government levels.
The National President of AMBCON, Mansur Umar articulated the association’s grievances, emphasizing the urgent need for policy reforms such as liberalizing flour and sugar importation, reducing import duties on essential baking materials, and facilitating concessionary forex exchange for industry stakeholders.
Additionally, they advocated for tariff reductions on imported wheat and sugar, alongside the establishment of a regulatory committee to oversee pricing and enhance business operations.
However, dissent emerged from the Supreme Bakers and Confectioners Association of Nigeria, which denounced the proposed strike as untimely and potentially detrimental to the populace amidst prevailing challenges. Edmund Egbuji, the association’s acting National President, implored members to refrain from participating in the strike, citing concerns about exacerbating food insecurity and scarcity.
In their official statement, the association emphasized a commitment to national interest, urging governmental intervention through constructive dialogue rather than disruptive industrial action. They underscored the imperative of sustaining bakery operations to mitigate the hardships faced by the populace.
In essence, the rift within the baking community encapsulated contrasting perspectives on addressing industry grievances, with the Supreme Bakers Association advocating for alternative avenues of resolution amid prevailing socioeconomic challenges.