Lagos bakers lament astronomic increase in flour, sugar prices, demand 60% reduction

Bakers in Lagos State have again called on the Federal Government to intervene on what they describe as “unnecessary and unjustifiable” increase in the price of inputs for baking.

Following a stakeholders meeting held in Lagos,  the stakeholders under the aegis of the Associations of the Lagos State Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria, Kosofe and Surulere Branches, maintained that they have on several occasions called on the Federal Government to always intervene in the increment of baking materials.

In a joint release signed by the Chairmen of the Associations, Mr. Akintola Taiwo and Comrade Ibitoye Oladapo, respectively,  the Associations lamented that the situation has against their constant call, deteriorated due to astronomical increase of the price of flour and other inputs.

Strongly condemning the increase of flour on behalf of the joint associations, Taiwo maintained that a bag of flour rose from N13,000 to N19, 000, while a bag of sugar from 14,000 to 22,000 at the moment, with other materials.

In addition, his counterpart on the caterers association said that they have refused to increase the prices of their products despite all the astronomic increase in the prices of inputs.

“It is high time we let the Federal Government know what we are facing as bakers and caterers in Nigeria. All baking materials starting from flour, butter, sugar, milk, nylon,salt, yeast, vegetable oil and others have increased drastically.

“We as an association have refused to increase the price of any of our products, because we know this would have negative impact on the economy.”

He disclosed further that the association had on several occasions met with millers to discuss and find solutions to the continuous increase in the price of flour, but affirmed that millers on their part have been unyielding in finding lasting solution to this problem.

He disclosed that millers have continued to shift the blame on continuous increment in foreign exchange.

“With this development, our position as associations is that, we are of the opinion that millers are comfortable with continuous increment,  hence their non-challant attitude to the plight of bakers and caterers as being daily preaches,”  Comrade Oladapo said.

Moreover, the associations beckoned on the government to act as a matter of urgency in seeking immediate solution to the challenges confronting them, which according to them, would be of great impact on the masses and the Country’s economy.