Economy
After slashing cement price, BUA ‘silently’ increase sugar, flour, pasta
After slashing cement price, BUA ‘silently’ increase sugar, flour, pasta
By Admin 9, 2023
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.
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.
Amina Sani, 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.
About The Author
Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has called on Northern states to strengthen collaboration in implementing tax reforms and digital transformation to boost revenue generation and ensure sustainable development.
Yusuf made the call on Wednesday at the second day of 2025 Northern Revenue Conference held in Kano.
The conference, with the theme “Readiness, Reforms, and Digital Transformation,” brought together policymakers, fiscal experts, and revenue administrators from across the northern states to discuss emerging trends in tax administration.
Represented by the Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Alhaji Musa Shanono, the Governor said effective revenue management remained central to good governance and economic growth.
He said his administration had prioritised fiscal reforms and digital innovation to improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability in public finance.
Yusuf commended the Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) for its progress under the leadership of Dr. Zaid Abubakar, describing it as a model for other states to emulate.
He said the enactment of the 2025 Nigerian Tax Laws had ushered in a new era in the country’s fiscal policy, encouraging states to embrace innovation and technology in tax administration.
Yusuf added, “The new framework compels us to think more strategically, collaborate more effectively and act more decisively.
“We must expand our fiscal frontiers beyond traditional boundaries and harness the potential of the informal sector, SMEs, and the growing digital economy.”
He emphasised integrity and accountability as the foundation of effective governance, saying:
“Integrity is fundamental in whatever we do. When it is missing, energy and intelligence are wasted,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), Dr Zaid Abubakar, has called on state revenue agencies to embrace digital innovations and institutional reforms to enhance efficiency and transparency in tax administration.
He said the era of manual processes and guesswork in tax administration had passed, stressing the need for precision, digital competence and strong leadership in driving fiscal reforms.
“The 2025 reform agenda requires us to be strategic, data-driven and technology-oriented.
“The era of guesswork in tax administration is over. We must move towards systems that ensure accountability, accuracy and convenience for taxpayers,” he said.
The KIRS Chairman urged participants to use the conference as a platform to share ideas, strengthen collaboration and build networks that would promote a more efficient and taxpayer-friendly revenue system across the northern states.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government to continue investing in digital transformation and capacity building to support sustainable revenue growth and fiscal stability
About The Author
Yusuf stated this on Tuesday while declaring open the 2025 Northern Revenue Conference held in Kano.
The conference, with the theme “Readiness, Reforms, and Digital Transformation”, was attended by revenue administrators, policymakers, and fiscal experts from across the Northern states.
Represented by the Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Alhaji Musa Shanono, he said the event was significant to his administration, adding that effective revenue management remained the engine room of governance.
Yusuf said the state government’s programmes and projects across the state would not have been possible without the commitment and efficiency of revenue-generating institutions.
The Governor expressed appreciation for the progress recorded by KIRS under the leadership of Dr Zaid Abubakar, describing it as a model of innovation and transparency in public finance administration.
He stated that the enactment of the 2025 Nigerian Tax Laws marked a new chapter in the nation’s fiscal history, creating opportunities to build a fair, transparent, and digitally driven tax system.
Yusuf said, “This new framework compels us to think more strategically, collaborate more effectively and act more decisively.
“We must expand our fiscal frontiers beyond traditional boundaries and harness the vast potential that lies within our informal economy, SMEs, and the growing digital ecosystem.”
The governor explained that since assuming office in May 2023, his administration had embarked on a vision to build a self-reliant, digitally enabled, and revenue-resilient Kano State.
He said the transformation of the revenue system was made possible through partnerships, reforms, and institutional strengthening of the Kano State Internal Revenue Service.
“According to the latest National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report, Kano State recorded a 100 per cent increase in Internally Generated Revenue within one year, ranking it among the top-performing states in the country,”
Yusuf said.
The governor also emphasised the importance of integrity and accountability in public service.
He added: “Integrity is fundamental in whatever we do. When it is missing, energy and intelligence are wasted.
$That is what Kano State has enjoyed integrity in governance and public service.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Zacch Adedeji, said the agency remained committed to implementing far-reaching tax reforms and digital transformation aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s fiscal system.
Represented by the Secretary, Joint Tax Board (JTB), Mr Adesokan Olusegun, Adedeji said the conference provided a vital platform for engaging stakeholders.
According to him, it will do provide an ample opportunity to conduct technical reviews of the newly enacted tax laws to ensure smooth transition and implementation across all tiers of government.
“This forum represents a milestone in our collective journey towards building a transparent, technology-driven, and fair tax administration system,” he said.
Also speaking , the Chairman, Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), Dr Zaid Abubakar, urged state revenue agencies to adopt digital transformation and institutional reforms in line with Nigeria’s evolving tax system.
He said the 2025 reforms required precision, digital competence and bold leadership to enhance efficiency and service delivery, adding that the era of guesswork in tax administration is over.
The KIRS boss urged the participants to use the forum to exchange ideas and strengthen collaboration for a more efficient and taxpayer-friendly system.
About The Author
KIRS
The Executive Chairman of the Kano Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), Dr Zaid Abubakar, says the agency is targeting higher revenue generation through improved customer relations and service delivery.
Abubakar stated this in Kano on Friday during activities marking the 2025 Customer Service Week, which focused on promoting stronger engagement between the service and taxpayers.
Represented by Executive Director Support Services Group, Mr Hamisu Garko, said the agency’s reforms were designed to make taxpayers the centre of its operations, adding that effective communication and quality service remained critical to enhancing voluntary compliance.
“Our taxpayers are at the heart of what we do. We have continued to reform our processes to make revenue collection more transparent, efficient, and customer-friendly,” he said.
According to him, KIRS has introduced new strategies to strengthen the relationship between staff and taxpayers, including capacity-building programmes and regular stakeholder meetings.
“We are training our staff to better understand how to relate with customers because they are the backbone of our operations. Without taxpayers, there will be no service,” he added.
Abubakar said the agency had set ambitious targets for the year, focusing on doubling its revenue generation compared to the previous year through innovation, digitalisation, and enhanced public trust.
“Our goal is to improve our revenue performance by deepening engagement and encouraging voluntary compliance among taxpayers,” he said.
The chairman commended taxpayers for their cooperation and urged them to continue supporting government’s efforts to improve service delivery across the state.
“We will continue to build a system that prioritises transparency, accountability, and customer satisfaction,” he said.
Earlier, the Director General of Kano State Signage and
Advertisement Agency, Kabir Dakata commended the state government for its prudent management of resources and the ongoing infrastructural transformation across the state.
He said the remarkable progress recorded in the state’s infrastructural development was made possible by the efficient revenue generation system and the transparent use of funds by the administration of Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf.
“We are witnessing a great transformation in infrastructure, and this would not have been possible without your collective effort,”he explained.
A taxpayer, Mr. Samson Joshua, has urged the Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) to simplify its payment processes by fully digitising the system to enable residents to make payments conveniently from their homes or offices.
He said that adopting a fully digital platform would not only ease the stress taxpayers experience at physical offices but also improve transparency and accountability in the revenue system.
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