Posted by The Burukutu vendors in Taraba State, Nigeria, are on strike for two weeks to send a message.
The strike, which began today, is intended to get the attention of the state government to the rise in the price of grains often used in the liquor’s production.
Immediately following a conference in Jalingo, the capital of the state, the sellers of the material, the vast majority of whom are women, made their decision.
Haske Women Association of Commercial Liquor members have warned that they will not end their strike until the state government takes action to lower grain costs.
Corn bags, which previously sold for N18,000, are now selling for N55,000, while guinea corn bags, which were selling for N22,000, have soared to N65,000.
Justina Solomon, the association’s vice chair, said the governor of the state, Dr. Agbu Kefas, must be made aware of their predicament, hence the strike.
She claimed that the hike drove many businesses out of business since it was out of reach for the average person.
She confirmed that the withdrawal of fuel subsidies has prompted the organization to reevaluate product pricing, but said that members are still struggling to make ends meet.
She lamented that because of the price increase, many of their regular customers have been put off because four liters of Burukutu now costs over N1000.