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((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Nigeria Ukraine Manufacturers Energy (TV)
HEADLINE: Nigerian Manufacturers Struggle with Wheat, Energy Shortages
TEASER: Several factors have impacted the country's supplies of electricity, fuel and grain
PUBLISHED AT: 05/31/022, 4:35p
BYLINE: Timothy Obiezu
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Abuja, Nigeria
VIDEOGRAPHER:
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: DLJ, MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Instagram
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:48
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVPKG ,
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO)) Nigerian manufacturers say they are struggling with rising grain prices, especially for wheat, sparked by Russia's war on Ukraine. But even before the war started in February, Nigeria had been dealing with fuel and power shortages and high inflation. Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja, Nigeria.
((NARRATOR))
Mmachukwu Orizu has a baby formula business and is preparing for a delivery.
One key ingredient she uses is brown wheat. But due to Russia’s war on Ukraine, she’s not sure when she will get her next supply.
((Mmachukwu Orizu, Somma's Yummies Founder)) ((In English, 19 secs))
"So, I use wheat alongside oats and then yam flour to produce that particular one. I won't lie to you, to even to get it has been difficult. It's not just about the increase in price. To get the wheat is actually difficult now because I buy in bulk.”
((NARRATOR))
Orizu started making baby formulas six years ago after quitting her former job as a laboratory scientist.
But she says lately, without her supply of wheat, business has not been the same.
((Mmachukwu Orizu, Somma's Yummies Founder)) ((English, 12 secs))
"I'm already trying to research on how to switch wheat for something else. What we have in mind for now is acha [grain], that's fonio. I'm taking between now and Friday to make that decision."
((NARRATOR))
Nigeria imported an average $2 billion worth of wheat in 2020 and 2021, mostly from the United States and Russia, according to the country's statistics bureau.
The Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria says local production of wheat here meets less than 10 percent of the country's needs.
The Nigerian Manufacturers Association says grain shortages are not the only problem. Before the invasion, businesses were already dealing with electricity and fuel shortages, inflation, poor infrastructure, and growing insecurity.
((Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria)) ((In English,
"Insecurity has made the supply chain internally very difficult. The most impacted parts of the country also happen to be the belt that we get most of our foods are from. We have had challenges. Now it is compounded by the fact that people cannot even farm."
((NARRATOR))
Nigerian authorities blame the electricity shortage on the collapse of the national grid multiple times since January.
Many businesses like Usaman Mohammed's bakery are cut off from power and rely on diesel fuel to power generators. But that too has tripled in price since the beginning of the year.
((Usman Mohammed, Bakery Manager)) ((In English, 13 secs))
"Each day we use a lot of diesel, because electricity is very scarce.
((NARRATOR))
Authorities also said the recall in January of 170 million liters of tainted fuel from circulation led to fuel shortages.
For now, many business owners like Orizu and Mohammed are just getting by.
((Timothy Obiezu for VOA News, Abuja, Nigeria))
NewsML Media TopicsEconomy, Business and Finance
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMay 31, 2022 16:52 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
