The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN) has voiced its frustration over the persistent rise in flour prices despite a recent government waiver intended to ease food inflation. The association staged a protest in Lagos on Wednesday, demanding immediate action to address the issue.
Chief Ayoola Mathew, chairman of AMBCN, addressed reporters during the protest, expressing disappointment over the Nigerian millers’ failure to implement the Federal Government’s recent waiver on duty-free importation of wheat, maize, and other commodities. The waiver, approved in July and effective from August 1, 2024, was aimed at reducing food costs and improving accessibility for Nigerians.
“We commend the Federal Government for this intervention,” Mathew said. “However, it is disheartening that millers have not reflected this relief in their prices. Instead, they have continued to raise the cost of flour daily, ignoring the intended benefit of the waiver.”
Mathew highlighted that the price of flour has surged to N67,000 per bag, a dramatic increase from N8,000 ten years ago. This escalation has made it increasingly difficult for bakeries to operate, leading to closures and job losses within the sector.
The association criticized millers for their disregard of the waiver and accused them of exacerbating the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. “This constant increase in flour prices is a direct assault on the Nigerian populace,” Mathew declared. “It is inhumane to place such financial burdens on citizens and businesses alike.”
AMBCN is calling on the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment to urgently intervene. The association has requested an investigation into the practices of Nigerian millers and sugar producers and demanded a reduction in the prices of flour and sugar. They proposed a target price range of N30,000 to N35,000 per bag of flour and urged for improved distribution and accessibility of essential commodities for bakers.
The group also emphasized the need for effective monitoring and sanctions against non-compliant millers, stressing that continued high production costs could lead to more bakery closures and worsen the unemployment crisis.
“We urge the Federal Government to enforce the waiver and ensure that its benefits are realized,” Mathew concluded. “Immediate action is needed to prevent further hardship and hunger among Nigerians.”