Give us our daily bread: Why Sokoto residents are rushing for bread from modern bakeries

THE bakery business is as old as man. From the open fire bakeries made of mud bricks to the modern oven bakeries, the art of making bread has evolved over centuries and today technology is gradually changing the face of the business.

In Sokoto, the rate at which modern bakeries open for business on daily basis is perhaps running the old bakeries out of business, especially those who have refused to change with the times producing unlabeled loaves or still ‘fortifying’ their products with so much bromate to make them look big and attractive to consumers.

Residents, who are the major consumers, have described the development as not only timely but also adding value to quality of bread being consumed in the town.

Speaking with Arewa live, Mr David Adesayo Agboin, a restauranteur described modern bakeries as the best innovation that ever came into the business of making bread making.

Mr Agboin, whose restaurant just added a modern bakery to its chain of business, described bakery business as not only lucrative but also worth venturing into. He described the bread and other confectioneries produced by modern bakeries as very good and hygienic for human consumption.

According to him, his coming into bakery business was not spontaneous but a result of the interest he had developed during his early days as a worker in a bakery.

“I was motivated based on my experience, having worked in a bakery before but I was not satisfied with what people were consuming. I later decided to set up a bakery which could produce bread made in a more hygienic environment, having also realised that it is a highly lucrative business.

“The Bank of Industry was able to source for the machineries for us as well as the provision of working capital in addition to our own financial resources in order to meet up with this scientific way of baking.

“The difference between this modern oven bakery and the normal traditional way is basically the hygienic aspect. In a modern bakery, we make use of spiral mixer which helps a lot in mixing the flour.

“If we compare this to the traditional way of baking bread where they use bare hands to mix flour before taking it to the miller, that process is not hygienic enough as the sweat from the body and other stuff can easily be added to it,” he said.

According to him, “I appeal to government at all levels to come and assist entrepreneurs in the country. I want the federal and state governments to encourage anyone who is newly into a business, any business for that matter with a tax holiday of between two or three years or any similar relief.

“The moment they realise that such business is growing they can introduce tax as against what is applicable now. Even if the business is not growing, one must pay taxes but let there be a period of relief.”

Speaking with Arewa live, a Sokoto resident, Muhammad Nasiru, commended the introduction of modern bakeries in Sokoto, saying it has helped in restoring people’s confidence in bread consumption.

According to him, “the emergence of modern bakeries is a blessing to this state. Some of us have lost confidence in eating bread before now with all the unhygienic loaves of bread all over place.

“In fact, you can only see me eating bread when I’ve just returned from a trip to either Abuja or Kaduna. On my way coming from either of those places, I used to buy bread for my family for consumption.

“My only fear is about the level of support by government at all levels to this initiative and to continue to give the bakers more support. There should not be an issue of placing too much tax on them as this will unfortunately lead to the high price of the commodities in the market.

“It may also lead to production of low quality bread at the expense of the satisfaction of consumers.”

Also speaking, Mr Sani Idachaba, a bakery manager described modern bakeries as not only hygienic but also more productive with the use of skilled persons unlike the old bakeries where these factors are taken for granted.

He said “in the old traditional way of baking, one could hardly follow the real rudiments of baking. It is easier to use substandard materials in the local bakery which will eventually have negative effects on consumers.

“Some of the local bakeries like cutting corners by adding unhygienic substances to their bread in order to maximise profit. I am sure consumers will testify to the difference between the traditional bakery and modern way of baking bread,” he disclosed.

Mr Idachaba also called on government to help entrepreneurs sustain their businesses through a downward review of taxes. He lamented a situation whereby newly established businesses pay heavy tax without regard to the survival of the business.

He also condemned cases of multiple taxations which, he said, may cause an increase in the rate of unemployment in the country, if not properly handled.

“The issue of multiple taxation is affecting small business owners negatively in the country. Imagine being taxed by a federal agency, state government as well as the local government on same product.

“This has led to a reduction in the quantity of products by most entrepreneurs so as to remain in the market. If care is not taken, most entrepreneurs in the country will either close business or relocate to a nearby country to sustain their businesses.

“A lot of issues are affecting us even now. Look at the issue of power. To remain in business in this country, you must rely on a power generator.

“When you calculate huge expenses on a generator, how can we survive high cost of raw materials?

“We can’t compromise our quality and can’t add more money to the cost of our products but to reduce the quantity to remain in the business.

“Our appeal to the government at all levels is to look inward and find a way of assisting entrepreneurs to grow in this country to the advantage of all,” he pleaded.

Hajia Memuna Abubakar, another customer who spoke with Arewa live commended the introduction of modern bakeries in the state.

She appealed to bakers not to compromise on the quality of their products, saying “quality will determine what consumers would buy from them. They should remember that the health benefits of their consumers must be their watchword and it should always be a thing of concern to them.

“My candid appeal to them is to maintain the quality of their products and with that they will remain in business for long,” she advised.