“We’re Going On Strike” – Bread-makers

Mohammed Oluwatimileyin Taoheed reports,

The Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria (PBAN) is set to sail on a four-day cautioning strike which takes effect as from Thursday, July 21, 2022.

One of the members of the body who spoke under anonymity told Track News Nigeria that the strike was decided following an unbearable hike in the prices of baking materials in the country.

Similarly, the President of the Association, Emmanuel Onuorah, asked the NAFDAC to review downwards the N154,000 penalty charged bakeries on late renewal of certificates according to a statement signed by its Spokesperson, Mr. Babalola Thomas.

As obtained by Track News Nigeria, part of the statement reads:

“Operating a bakery in Nigeria has become near impossible as the incessant increase in the prices of baking materials and diesel rendered the industry comatose. Bakeries are mostly running on huge losses and this is no longer sustainable.

“Bread is a staple food and one of the cheapest ‘grab and go’ food that is available for both the poor and rich. It therefore behooves on the federal government to be mindful of this and ensure the survival and sustainability of the industry.

“In a move to ensure the survival of the Premium breadmaking industry in Nigeria, we have decided to embark on a withdrawal of services beginning from Thursday 21st July, 2022 for four days in the first instance and where no intervention from the government, we shall escalate the duration of the withdrawal.

“Our efforts to ensure the survival of the industry led to series of meetings with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abuja (FMITI) with our sister association in the breadmaking industry in 2021. Our best attempts to ensure that suggestions we put forward for survival of the breadmaking industry has not yielded the desired result.

“Therefore, the withdrawal of service is the only way we believe we can use to get to Federal Government and Nigerians and let them know our plight and how difficult it has been with the breadmaking industry in Nigeria.”

Our Correspondent, Mr. Mohammed Oluwatimileyin Taoheed, says that PMAN includes the Managing Directors, Owners and Partners of most of the Bakeries across the country.