By Prince J Musa in Kenema
The Kenema Bakers Union has gone for days without producing bread for sale to the public citing an increase in the price of a bag of flour.
In an interview with Politico, the Public Relations officer of the Union in Kenema, Aruna Domingo said they were also not happy about the prevailing situation but that they are forced by the spate of inflation in the market.
‘’We do not intend to deprive our people of getting the bread but the current cost of flour has to lead us into this situation and our people should understand our position,’’ he said.
He added that the union sympathizes with the public as everybody is a consumer of bread and most especially those that do not eat rice after 5:00 pm.
Domingo called on the government to put measures in place against inflation especially as the festive season approaches. Otherwise, he said Christmas and the New Year is not going to be rosy for the people, as businesses will be left with no option but to go by the prevailing situation in the market.
He said their action is not in any way to undermine government but that it’s due to the increase in the major ingredients used to produce the bread.
Hassanatu Jalloh, a bread seller said it’s been three days since the bakers stopped producing bread, a situation that she said affects their business.
Mamie Conteh another petty trader expressed frustration over the situation. She sells bread and beans to support her family. This, she said has been affected by the action of the Union. “If this continues for a week, I will change my line of business because it will not be easy for me and my family. We might eat the small capital I have,” he said.
Francis Kanu, trade officer in Kenema said they are concerned about the situation and will engage the chairman of the traders union in Kenema to see how best they could engage the bakers to resume operations.
Copyright © Politico Online 26/11/21
