The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCON) has announced a nationwide strike, effective 27th February 2024. As stated by the association, the decision is due to the failure of the government to implement the 2020 agreement it entered with the association. On Tuesday, 13th of February 2024, the president, Alhaji Mansur Umar, in a statement disclosed that the association will embark on total withdrawal of all services from 27th February 2024. He also appealed to governments of various levels to suspend all forms of taxation on the bakery industry for now, while also developing the cultivation and processing of wheat and sugar cane in Nigeria.
According to the statement read by Chief Gabriel Adeniyi, Kogi State chapter Chairman, “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 taxations from federal government agencies, the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria have critically accessed the state of our business operation, consequently demand the following:
“Liberalisation 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 has recently been done by the federal government. Provision of concessionary forex exchange to flour millers and other stakeholders and reduction of tariff on imported wheat and sugar.
“Development of cultivation and processing of wheat and sugar cane in Nigeria, removal of multiple taxations both at the federal, state and local government levels, Immediate implementation of financial support palliatives for bakers as promised as post covid-19 support programs for SMEs for bakers who have lost over 40% of her membership and still counting.
“Suspension of all forms of taxations on the bakery industry, for now, both at the federal, state, and local government levels, set up a price control and monitoring committee as allowed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and other conditions that will enhance the ease of doing business in the country.’’
