fbpx
Connect with us

Business

After slashing cement price, BUA ‘silently’ increase sugar, flour, pasta prices

Published

on

 

 

Days after announcing the reduction of ex-factory price of cement, BUA Group has silently increased prices of foods, particularly a bag of sugar, a bag of flour and a carton of spaghetti, investigation has revealed.

The management of one of the giant cement coy in the country had on October 1 announced the reduction of ex-factory price of the product to N3,500 per bag.

But the announcement was greeted by public outrage as dealers were battling to enlighten the customers that the reduction in price affects only companies that supply the commodity directly from the factory.

However, investigation by this newspaper had revealed that BUA Foods had silently increased prices of its sugar, flour and pasta products.

Our reporter, who went round some shops at the popular Singer Market in Kano state, the biggest grocery market in Northern Nigeria, observed that price of a bag of sugar, flour and a carton of spaghetti had increased by N3,500, N2,000 and at least N1000 respectively.

Checks by this newspaper had shown that while the price of sugar was recently sold at N44,000 per bag, spaghetti N8,100 a carton, and a bag of flour at N32,500, the commodities are now being sold at N47,500, N9,000 and N34,500 respectively.

NBC Issues Final Warning to Arise Television Over Alleged Violation of Broadcasting Code”

A dealer of BUA Foods in Kano told our reporter that the increase in prices of the commodities followed immediately after the company announced the reduction of its cement product.

According to the dealer, who preferred to remain anonymous as he was not authorized to speak, they observed the increase in the prices this week.

He confirmed that the price of a carton of IRS Spaghetti, a pasta product of the BUA Foods, is now N9,000 a carton at company price, while it was recently sold at N8,400 a carton, an indication that it could reach up to N10,000 at retail price.

He also said “We have observed the increase this week. Price of a bag of flour has now gone up to N34,500 as against the N31,000 to N32,000 sold last week. About N2,000 has been increased on a bag of flour and it is a company price.

” About sugar, there is no standard price but it is sold up to N48,000 now in the market. It was N44,500 to N45,000 per bag just last week. Somebody told me that he is selling it at N46,500 per bag.

“We have just received the increased from them this week. They normally communicate to use via phone. They will just send us messages if there is any development.

“I also want to tell you that all these prices are company prices,” he stressed.

Our investigation also revealed that price of the commodities had already gone up at retail outlets in the Kano city.

A grocery shop operator, Mustapha at Karkasara are of Tarauni Local Government area, informed our reporter that he sells a bag of 50kg sugar at N49,000 after he supplied it at N47,500 from the dealers.

Another shop operator, Ibrahim Musa in Fagge Local Government said he had observed increment in price of sugar, flour and IRS spaghetti.

According to him, he purchased a 50kg bag of sigar at N48,000, adding that he supplied a bag of flour at N33,000, while IRS spaghetti was N9,100.

He lamented that despite the increment, he is recording low market as according to him, it had taken him about two weeks to finish a bag of flour.

“You know there is no money in the hand of people. Before i purchased this flour, the one supplied last time took almost two weeks before it finished.

“We are recording low market. People are in poverty and the patronage is low. We just thank God and pray for His intervention,” Ibrahim said.

Customers also expressed displeasure over the recent increment of the BUA food products.

Hajiya Iyami, one of the major customers that purchase bags of flour for baking Gurasa, a locally-made staple in Kano, lamented that the price of the product has kept rising anytime.

She said the price is rising day in day out from three years ago, recalling that the price had skyrocketed from just N5,500 per bag.

“Ironically, this price of BUA plower has skyrocketed just three years ago when a bag of flour was just N5,500. The price keep going higher

“I have now bought a bag of flour at N34,500. We therefore call on the BUA company to reduce the price of flour as we heard that he reduced the price of s bag of sugar,” Iyami appealed.

Efforts to reach BUA company proved abortive as a major dealer in the state, who was speaking on behalf of the company said he could no longer speak now.

#

Business

Best choice Specialist Hospital Launches First Intensive Infant Phototherapy Machine In Kano

Published

on

 

_”A Beacon of Progress in Northern Nigeria!”_

In a groundbreaking move, Best Choice Hospital has taken a significant leap forward in pediatric care with the introduction of the Infant Phototherapy Unit, a groundbreaking technology designed to treat jaundice and prevent brain damage in newborns.

In a statement signed by Auwal Muhammad Lawal Group Managing Director of the Hospital noted that pioneering technology enables medical professionals to transfuse blood with unparalleled precision, safety significantly enhancing treatment outcomes for children.

…. Noted that the innovative machine boasts a remarkable 70% radiance output and features a standard phototherapeutic unit, eliminating the need for blood transfusions.

#

Auwal reiterated that introduction of this advanced state-of-art machine marks a significant milestone in Best Choice Hospital’s ongoing commitment to pediatric excellence.

With its advanced capabilities, the Infant Phototherapy Unit can effectively treat jaundice in a targeted manner, providing a beacon of hope for families.

“We understand the distress and hardship that comes with pediatric medical conditions”

“That’s why we’ve invested on this to ease the burden on families and provide children with the best possible chance at a healthy life”. Said Lawal

As the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria, this cutting-edge technology offers a comprehensive treatment solution for infants, covering the entire body with its optimal wavelength.

Dr. Abdulmalik Saminu, a leading medical expert expresses optimism that the development reinforces Best Choice Hospital’s position as a leader in pediatric care, providing families with renewed hope and confidence in the treatment of their loved ones.

Saminu further conveyed heartfelt gratitude to the hospital’s proprietor for his tireless efforts in making this life-changing technology available.

With the Infant Phototherapy Unit, families no longer need to travel abroad for medical treatment, as Best Choice Hospital now offers world-class care right in their own backyard.

Continue Reading

Business

Naira depreciates to N1,635 in parallel market

Published

on

 

The Naira yesterday depreciated to N1,635 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,625 per dollar last weekend.

However, the Naira yesterday appreciated to N1,585.77 per dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market, NAFEM.

Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for NAFEM fell to N1,585.77 per dollar from N1,598.56 per dollar last weekend, indicating N12.79 appreciation for the naira. The volume of dollars traded (turnover) in the market declined by 58.8 percent to $71.18 million from $172.8 million traded last week Friday.

Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NAFEM rate widened to N49.23 per dollar from N26.44 per dollar last weekend.

#

Continue Reading

Business

Dangote Refinery Diesel Found To Exceed EU Sulphur Limits, As Abuja Online Newspaper Reveals More Shocking Details

Published

on

 

Following a comprehensive analysis of data sourced from certified laboratory results and delivery records, Abuja based Newspaper, Politics Nigeria, reports that the diesel fuel from Dangote Refinery contains high sulphur content at least 400 percent higher than European Union (EU) standards.

Recall that Aliko Dangote, the CEO of Dangote Refinery, had, last month, claimed that product from his refinery was of impeccable quality, adding that the diesel fuel produced by his refinery had low sulphur content.

However, further checks revealed through a cache of official document that the Africa’s richest businessman may have misrepresented facts and possibly manipulated information.

Similarly, Mr. Dangote had recently accused major players and regulatory agencies of sabotaging the $19 billion refinery’s efforts to secure necessary feedstock for its operations.

The copy

The copy

In response, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority (NMDPRA) CEO Farouk Ahmed stated that Dangote’s fuel has higher sulphur content, a harmful element in crude oil.

#
The copy

The copy

According to him, “the Lagos-headquartered refinery and other modular refineries produced diesel with sulphur content ranging from 650 ppm (parts per million) to 1200 ppm.”

Speaking on this development, a chemist at the University of Cambridge explained that Sulphur is a natural element in crude oil, which is usually removed during refining processes because high amounts in fuel damage engines and cause environmental pollution.

The copy

The copy

“When fuel with high sulphur content is burnt, it produces sulphur dioxide (SO2), a harmful gas that contributes to environmental pollution. This is particularly concerning as sulphur dioxide is a major contributor to acid rain, which can harm ecosystems, damage buildings and infrastructure, and pose health risks to humans and animals,” she stated.

Official documents further revealed that the Collated Test Results of AGO (Diesel) including lab results of diesel fuel supplied to retailers between April and last month, revealed that the sulphur content in Dangote diesel went up to as high as 1200 ppm.

The fuel, delivered in 32 batches, was supplied to different depots of Rain Oil, AA Rano, TMDK Oil, Kashton, NIPCO, Sobaz, and other retail companies. The amount of sulphur found in Dangote diesel averaged 937 ppm, with the lowest of 705 ppm in April and the highest of 1200 ppm in a supply to NIPCO on June 16.

In line with NMDPRA regulation, these supplies were tested by Dangote’s quality assurance team and verified by independent international testing companies who also issued certificates of analysis.

As part of moves to discredit the NMDPRA CEO’s claims and shield itself from public scrutiny, Dangote Refinery organised a testing of its diesel during a tour of the facility by a group of House of Representatives members on July 20. Samples from the refinery were collected alongside some diesel samples procured from two filling stations along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

During the tour, Dangote had said: “Lab tests revealed that Dangote’s diesel had a sulphur content of 87.6 ppm, whereas the other two samples showed sulphur levels exceeding 1800 ppm and 2000 ppm respectively.

“In terms of quality, when we started, our quality was about six hundred to six fifty ppm; the ppm was one of the best in terms of quality at the time we started. But as of today, we are at 87 ppm. And you can take a sample on Monday. By Monday, we will be less than 50 ppm. By the beginning of August, we will be at 10 ppm.”

However, according to impeccable sources familiar with the company’s operations, the testing did not reflect the actual results of the diesel fuel Dangote Refinery supplies to the market.

A source, who pleaded anonymity for security reasons, said: “That test is far from the reality on the ground. It was done to mobilise members of the public against the federal government and force the government to reach a deal with the refinery.

“In fact, on July 22, two days after the lawmakers’ visit, Dangote Refinery delivered a shipment of diesel fuel containing 950 ppm of sulphur to AA Rano’s depot in Ijegun, Lagos.”

Records also showed that the same shipment was first tested by Dangote’s quality control department on July 13 and was confirmed to contain 1095 ppm of sulphur. The certificate of analysis was authorised by Nikunj Parikh, a senior chemist at Dangote, and witnessed by an independent lab chemist, Solomon Efe.

As of the time of filing this report, our Correspondent could not reach the spokesperson for Dangote, Tony Chiejina, to react to the development as calls to his known telephone number went unanswered.

Continue Reading

Trending