Bread scarcity hits Kano as bakers embark on strike

Bakery operators in Kano have stopped production of bread over what they describe as unacceptable increment in the cost of flour and other supplements needed for bread production.

According to Kabiru Hassan, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Master Bakers Association (MBA) in Kano, bakery operators in the state “were forced into this strike because of the flour price which has skyrocketed.”

Hassan told reporters on Wednesday that members of the association have deemed it compulsory to embark on the strike due to increase in the price of flour and other commodities involved in bread production.

Scarcity of bread has been reported in Kano metropolis, forcing residents to buy the local delicacy known as Gurasa as replacement.

The industrial action by the MBA is reported to have impacted local tea vendors, popularly known as Mai’shayi, many of whom have already begun to record losses.

The tea vendors lament the strike has caused untold hardships upon those who relied on bread their products and meals. Others think it is a deliberate conspiracy against the common man, to deny him of one of his cheapest sources of food.

The scarcity of bread has been attributed to the increasing cost of flour, a byproduct of wheat which is one of the commodities affected by present import difficulties being faced by many companies. Many importers have complained of difficulties in meeting up with the wheat imports needed to produce flour, mostly due to lack of adequate access
to Forex.

Despite the fact that global prices for commodities including wheat has dropped in the international market, bringing the commodity to Nigeria makes the cost skyrocket.

The present scarcity also brings to fore, the seeming abandonment of previous government initiatives which had sought to promote cassava as an alternative source of flour for baking bread and other confectioneries.

 

Caleb Ojewale