The Sokoto State Master Bakers Association has subsidized bread prices to ease the burden on customers during the month of Ramadan.
The State Chairman of the Bakers’ Union, Ibrahim Abubakar, who disclosed this in a telephone with ASHENEWS in Sokoto said that the decision followed several meetings between the association’s leadership and state government officials.
Abubakar who acknowledged the burden posed by the high cost of bread, particularly for less privileged families, lauded the state government’s role in ensuring that it is sold at a lower price in Sokoto metropolis and its environs.
“With the support we received from the government, we are now visiting bakeries to purchase bread in bulk and sell it at a subsidized rate to consumers,” he explained.
According to him, the association has reduced the price of each loaf by ₦200.
“At the bakery, bread is relatively cheap, but retailers tend to sell it at higher prices. To address this, we use a vehicle to buy directly from bakeries at a fair price and go around selling it at a lower rate,” Abubakar noted.
He added, “We have reduced the price by ₦200 per loaf for individual buyers, and it is now up to the shop owners to sell at an affordable price for consumers.”
Speaking on sustainability of the initiative, he said that the association will meet with government officials to explore ways to sustain it beyond Ramadan.
“One day, you can come and follow us to see how we are entering nooks and crannies to sell bread to the people,” Abubakar told ASHENEWS.
Mixed reactions from consumers, sellers
Abubakar Umar, a resident of the Unguwar Rogo area in Sokoto metropolis, expressed excitement over the initiative, although he had not yet purchased the subsidized bread.
“There was a day when I saw them passing through Unguwar Rogo roundabout. I was told they were selling subsidized bread—one that usually costs ₦1,000 was being sold for just ₦500,” he said.
Unlike Abubakar Umar, Umar Dagawa from the Akalawa area in Sokoto was unaware of the initiative but welcomed it as a positive development that would make life easier for bread consumers.
A regular bread consumer from Gagi area, Umaru Tela, who just like Dagawa isn’t aware of the initiative, acknowledged that it would be a great relief if made widely available, as it would help reduce the high cost of bread.
He added that before Ramadan, there was a particular type of bread he used to buy, and its price has now been reduced from ₦1,050 to ₦1,000.
ASHENEWS also visited several shops in Sokoto metropolis to get reactions from shop owners about the price reduction.
Many consumers expressed frustration, as numerous bakers have not followed suit with price reductions, despite the drop in commodity prices, including flour.
A shop owner in the Nakasari area, Mansur Madugu commended the association’s efforts but noted that prices in shops remain high despite a drop in flour costs. “Only one bakery, Davkeen, has reduced its price from ₦1,700 to ₦1,500,” he said.
A shop owner in Rawul-Mairuwa, Usama Muhammad shared a similar experience, pointing out that many bread sellers have not yet reduced their prices, even during Ramadan.
