The cost of bread in Kogi, north central Nigeria is likely to rise in the next few weeks following the decision of the state government to impose a levy on every loaf baked in the state.
The state ministry of commerce and industry said the levy is aimed at improving the internally generated revenue.
However, the Association of Master bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN) have outrightly rejected the imposition of the new fee.
TheCable reported that an executive member of the association identified as Godfirst has hinted that the association has begun moves to meet with the consultant the state charged with collecting the fee.
Godfirst told reporters: “The letter was sent to us that a consultant has been given the job to generate fund from bakery to state government; to generate revenue to (for the) state government.
“We are trying to meet with the consultant but we have not been able to meet with him. We want to meet with him to give us more explanation.”
He said bakers in the state are experiencing hardship occasioned by the pandemic and will not be able to meet the new demand.
“We are not happy about it, presently there is no market. We are facing different types of challenges, and if they are now asking us to pay another tax, we don’t know how we can cope,” he said.
Nigerians on social media have also risen to condemn the imposition of the new levy at a time of extreme hardship, declining household incomes and even more regrettably, in the middle of a pandemic.
