In an overdue move, the Tripoli based Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Minerals, Mustafa Al-Samo, discussed with the Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Follow-up of Bakeries, the President of the General Syndicate of Bakeries, and a number of officials and specialists the situation of bakeries and ways to address the difficulties they face.
Government has come in for much criticism
The Tripoli government has come in for much criticism for mismanagement and neglecting the recurrent bread crisis which reached an extent that bakeries have been forced to stop operating or put up bread prices or reduce the size/weight of a baguette of bread to the size of a panini.
This is due to the power cuts, the rise of prices due to the rise in the black-market price of the dollar (LD 9.20/dollar), the rise of prices and shortage of diesel. Diesel is the backup fuel used to operate generators during Libya’s extensive power cuts and blackouts this summer.
The convergence of these issues, leading to a bread crisis, have reoccurred several times since the 2011 revolution. Yet the Aldabaiba government was caught napping as if it was a new phenomenon.
Bread is subsidised in Libya with bakeries receiving subsidised flour and fuel.
The government reported that the meeting dealt with operating costs, input prices and operational needs, in addition to discussing proposals and practical measures to support bakeries and address the costs they face, in a way that contributes to supporting production, while maintaining the quality and weight of the loaf.
The Undersecretary stressed the need to develop practical and implementable solutions to address the bottlenecks facing the bakery sector, while following up on the implementation of what has been agreed upon and coordinating with the relevant authorities to take the necessary measures on the files that require intervention.