If long-standing agreements from 2020 are not honored, the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCON), has issued a harsh ultimatum to the Federal Government, threatening a nationwide service withdrawal beginning on February 27.
One of their main demands is that the money that was promised to bakers as part of the post-COVID-19 relief measures for Small and Medium Enterprises be implemented right away. This is because bakers are a vital lifeline for those who have lost a lot of members.
The association said, “Multiple taxations from several federal, state, local government agencies fees and levies, hike in business activities in Nigeria are also some of the reasons for the impending strike action.”
From the minutes of the last meeting they had, which was presided by National President of AMBCON, Alhaji Mansur Umar, further reads, “The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria have critically accessed the state of our business operation, consequently demand the liberalization 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 and Provision of concessionary forex exchange to flour millers and other stakeholders as well as reduction of tariff on imported wheat and sugar.”
While also trying to underscore the urgent need for domestic cultivation and processing of wheat and sugar cane to reduce dependency on imports. However, the call for the establishment of a price control and monitoring committee and the removal of bureaucratic hurdles aims to streamline business operations and foster a conducive environment for growth and sustainability.
