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‘Production Cost, Govt Policies Threaten Bread Industry’

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The increasing cost in importation of wheat, sugar and other raw materials used in the production of bread is threatening the bakery industry in Nigeria.
Rivers State Chairman of Master Bakers and Cafeteria Association of Nigeria (MBCAN), Dr.Chidi Emmanuel Orlu, who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, said current government policies as far as the industry is concerned is not favourable to bakers.
Orlu also blamed unhealthy competition and rivalry amongst bakers as some of the problems.
He said since the association does not have a regulatory power, baking business has become an all comers affair.
“In 2005, you sell more than 50 percent of your production. You don’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, because people come with impression of so much profit”, he said.
He also blamed the National Agency for food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and other agencies for not being alive to their responsibilities.
“The Association does not regulate. Regulation is the responsibility of the government through NAFDAC”, he stated.
Orlu noted that the agency (NAFDAC) and other regulatory bodies are today more interested in revenue they generate from bakeries.
“Today, NAFDAC is interested in the revenue it generates from bakeries and others.The main control has taken a back seat,” he said.
He also lamented the duplication of function between the agency and others such as the Ministry of Health, Public Health Department, Local Government Health Department, the State, and Federal fire services respectively, adding that all of them are sending one demand notice or the other.
“We have Ministry of Health, Public Health Department, we have lotcal Government Public Health Department, all controlling bakery. They send demand notices and each of them want money”, he said.
According to the bakers Chairman, the obvious neglect of responsibility has led to closure of many bakeries thereby throwing many people into the labour market.
He said those who have no business in the industry also took advantage of that to go into it, using some banned substances to produce bread for public consumption.
Orlu, 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 btakers 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 said.
The proposed action, he explained, was to show that the problem of the industry is not caused by bakers, but purely government policies and economic environment.
“This is just the essence of the withdrawal of services”, he said, hinting on plans to further increase the price of the products.

By: John Bibor

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Rivers

Eld Ogbu Bags Adventists Men Award…Pledge For Humanitarian Service

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A former supervisory councillor for Health in Etche local government of Rivers state, Eld Chimezie Ogbu has been honoured with an excellent service Award by the Adventist men Organisation (AMO), Port Harcourt west mission.

Eld Chimezie Ogbu, received the award for alongside fifteen others for his contributions and support to the association and uplifting humanity.

Elder Chimezie Ogbu left receiving the Rivers west mission AMO Excellent Service Award from the former AMO Director and the former General manager, RSNC, Eld Vincent Ake during the extra ordinary meeting of AMO held at Rumuolumini, Sunday.

 

Speaking during an extra ordinary and end of year meeting, the Director of Adventist men Organisation, Port Harcourt west mission, Dr Sam Emejuru said the award was in recognition to Hon Ogbu’s contributions and support to the association, noting that Eld Chimezie Ogbu have been one of the sponsors of the Association in the mission.

Dr Emejuru who was a fomer chairman of the state secondary school Board noted invaluable contributions of the recipients to the association and the church at large and urged them to continue to be generous in the development of church and humanity.

In an interview with the tide, Hon Chimezie Ogbu, a serving elder in the seventh-day adventist church, Rumuolumeni District expressed appreciation to the Association, adding that the award will encourage him to do more

He highlighted the importance of investing in God’s vineyard and to help humanity and dedicated the award to God Almighty and members of his family.

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Rivers Landlords Petitions IG Over Alleged Move to Demolish Their Estate

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Members of landlords of Ceenamore and Iroko Drives in Cedarwood Estate, Rumuaholu, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have urged the Inspector General of Police and the State Police Commissioner, CP Olungbenga Adepoju, to urgently act on the petition they sent to him regarding the alleged move by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Technology & property development Ltd, Engr. Stephen Nyegwa, to demolish their estate.

The group alleged that the MD of Niger Delta Logistics Limited had purportedly, through a court judgment notice, claimed that he had gotten an order to demolish the estate.

Speaking to journalists at the estate, Mr. Manuabuchi Elem Chioma, one of the affected landlords, said the call becomes very imperative following the continued harassment by Mr. Nyegwa and his associates, noting that they woke up and discovered that their houses have been marked for demolition.

Also speaking, Barrister Victor Okezie urged the police to act swiftly to save landlords of the estate from the impending problem, stressing that they are ready to comply if there is a confirmed valid court judgment.

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NLNG, NCDMB Launch ICT Hub To Boost Tech Skills In Nigeria

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Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have inaugurated an ultra-modern, specialised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for youth empowerment in innovations.
The fully equipped ICT centre, located at Baptist High School in the city, was inaugurated as part of the close-out ceremony for the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme.
Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, stated this in a statement issued on Friday by the Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at NLNG, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku.
He described the ICT centre as a gateway to knowledge and innovation, as well as a window to future opportunities.
Represented by the organisation’s General Manager of Institutional Strengthening, Mr. Olugbenga Sheba, Ogbe explained that the project was designed to equip young Nigerians with digital skills to prepare them for a technology-driven world.
“The remodelled ICT centre is more than a building. It is a statement of belief that students here can learn coding, design, and innovation that connects them with the wider world.
“It represents our confidence that when given the right tools, Nigerian students can become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs”, he said.
Ogbe commended NLNG for its continued collaboration with the NCDMB and its steadfast commitment to advancing Nigerian Content objectives.
He added that the partnership demonstrated what could be achieved through meaningful collaboration between government and corporate stakeholders, noting that such investments would help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to compliance with Nigerian Content regulations and its dedication to improving lives sustainably.
She emphasised that NLNG was passionate about enhancing human capital development and promoting technological inclusion, both of which were aimed at improving employability and industry-relevant skills among young Nigerians.
According to Horsfall, the project aligns with NLNG’s vision of empowering communities through education and technology.
“The upgraded ICT centre, which complies with existing NCDMB regulations, is an investment that provides students with a modern learning environment and equips teachers with improved tools to deliver quality education”, she said.
The Tide reports that the ICT centre has been upgraded to a 40-seater facility and equipped with 20KVA solar and inverter system.
The facility also includes renovated classrooms and administrative buildings, as well as digital smart boards and modern learning tools.
Meanwhile, Palmer-Ikuku, in the statement, announced the graduation of 30 trainees under the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme jointly organised by both organisations.
She stated that the trainees earned international certifications after completing rigorous training in Engineering, Marine Operations, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Entrepreneurship, among other disciplines.
According to Palmer-Ikuku, the training underscores the shared mission of NLNG and NCDMB to build local capacity, promote technological inclusion, and support Nigeria’s broader vision of sustainable development through education and skill acquisition.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

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