The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN) has disclosed readiness to embark on a nationwide strike as of 27th February 2024.
Kogi State chairman of AMBCN, Chief Adeniyi Bamidele Gabriel, made this known on Tuesday during a press conference held in Lokoja.
According to him, the National President of the Association, Alhaji Mansur Umar,
in conjunction with the National Secretary, Mr. Jude Okafor, issued a statement to show the position of the association on the ease of doing business in Nigeria and notice of total withdrawal of their services.
The statement reads: “Due to the multifarious increase in the prices of baking materials such as-Flour, Sugar, Yeast, Vegetable oil, Petrol, Diesel (occasioned by subsidy removal and forex deregulation), multiple taxation from federal government multiple taxation from federal government agencies which includes NAFDAC, SON, NESREA, CONSUMER PROTECTION COUNCIL, DEPARTMENT OF WEIGHT AND MEASURES ETC. States and local government agencies fees and levies such as emblems, Assessment levies, touting, etc and the general hike on ease of doing business in Nigeria.
The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria have critically accessed the state of our business operation, consequently demand the following:
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.
Provision of concessionary forex exchange concessionaire forex exchange to flour millers and other stakeholders and reduction of tariff on imported wheat and sugar.