News
Master Bakers May Shut Down In Rivers Soon … Say Production Cost, FG Policies Threatening Industry
Master Bakers in Rivers State may shut operations soon to protest the high cost of bread production in the state.
This is as they have lamented the increasing cost in the importation of wheat, sugar and other raw materials used in the production of bread in the country.
The Rivers State Chairman of Master Bakers and Cafeteria Association of Nigeria, Dr.Chidi Emmanuel Orlu, in an exclusive interview with The Tide, said the rising cost of producing bread threatened the bakery industry in the country.
The Tide’s investigations show that in recent times, the cost of bread has gone up by 70percent as a loaf of bread that hitherto sold for N500 now sells for N700.
Orlu, however, blamed the situation on the Federal Government’s unfavourable policies.
As far as the baking industry is concerned, the government policy is not friendly to us, he said.
He also blamed unhealthy competition and rivalry amongst bakers as some of the problems in the industry.
According to him, since the association does not have a regulatory power, baking business has become an all comers’ affair.
“In 2005, you sell (sold) more than 50percent of your production. You don’t (didn’t) have the challenge that you have today.
“Today, we spend a lot of money on packaging. Numbers of bakery have increased giving rise to unhealthy rivalry and competition.
“People come with impression of so much profit,”he said.
Orlu also blamed the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other agencies of the government for not being alive to their responsibilities.
He alleged that NAFDAC and other regulatory bodies were more interested in revenue they generate from bakers than their statutory regulatory functions.
“The Association (Master Bakers) does not regulate. Regulation is the responsibility of the government through NAFDAC.
“Today, NAFDAC is interested in the revenue it generates from bakeries and others. The main control has taken a back stage”, he said.
He also decried the duplication of functions among government’s agencies such as the Ministry of Health, Public Health Department, Local Government Health Department, the state and federal fire services, among others, accusing them of sending one demand notices or the other.
“We have Ministry of Health, Public Health Department, we have Local Government Public Health Department, all controlling bakery. They send demand notices and each of them want money”, he said.
Orlu also noted that lack of proper regulation encouraged the entry of quacks into the baking business as many took the advantage to use banned substances to produce bread for public consumption.
He, therefore, appealed to the government to assist bakers with soft loans to enable them remain in business.
On the alleged planned withdrawal of service by master bakers in the state, he said the plan was to ensure that citizens continue to have access to bread.
“We decided to withdraw our services to alert citizens that if something is not done ,we will head to a point where bread will not be for the common man”.
He added that the proposed action was “to show that the problem of the industry is not caused by bakers, but is purely government policies and economic environment that we operate.
“This is just the essence of the withdrawals of services”.
Orlu also hinted of plans to increase the price of the products soon if the government refuses to do something about the cost of importing baking materials.
By: John Bibor
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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