Local Gurasa bread bakers, primarily women, gathered for a peaceful protest in Kano on Friday, February 2, 2024.
They expressed their dissatisfaction with the soaring cost of flour, emphasizing the financial struggles it imposes on their small-scale businesses.
Gurasa, a traditional bread in northern Nigeria, is crafted using flour, yeast, sugar, and water. Typically produced by women, it is sold in various markets and motorparks.
The demonstrators, congregating on Yankasuma streets in Kano, held placards with messages in Hausa, translated into English.
One sign stated, “We condemn the high price of flour,” while others read, “This is our livelihood; we may halt production,” “Gurasa is a vital food in the north,” and “Federal government, assist us; we are suffering due to high flour prices.”
Protesters articulated their hardships, stating that feeding their families and educating their children became increasingly challenging due to the tough economic conditions.
Addressing the press on behalf of the predominantly female protesters, Hajiya Fatimah Anwar highlighted the deteriorating situation.
She emphasized that this small-scale industry, mostly run by women, was facing a decline due to the rising cost of flour.
Hajiya Fatimah Anwar expressed the dire situation, mentioning that many had lost their capital, with only 25 percent of them remaining in business.
She lamented the staggering increase in the price of flour, citing a shift from N16,000 to N43,000 per bag.
She pleaded for intervention from authorities, urging them to address the issue as it was affecting their families and livelihoods.
The protesters specifically used IRS flour produced by Abdussamad, considering it the best for their products. However, the escalating cost made it unaffordable.
Concerned about the potential closure of their businesses, which would impact the general public’s access to Gurasa bread, Hajiya Fatimah Anwar called on governments to find positive ways to assist flour companies.
She proposed helping these companies source foreign exchange to create a more favorable cost of production.
She stressed the importance of aligning any proposed solutions with Islamic principles and urged the government to engage flour-producing companies in addressing the high price of flour.
