The Enugu state chapter of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) says it will increase the price of a bag of sachet water to N300 as members begin the shutdown of their operations for three days as a result of the unbearable cost of production.
Tony Edike, chairman of ATWAP, disclosed this in a joint statement issued by himself and Clems Nwamadi, state secretary in Enugu, on Sunday.
This was among the decisions made at the association’s emergency meeting on February 8, 2024, in Enugu on the issues facing all of the association’s members.
All producers of table water, including those who produce sachet water and pet bottles, were instructed to cease operations and cease manufacturing starting on Monday, February 12.
2024, until Thursday, February 15, 2024.
The decision to temporarily cease operations reflects the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action to address the underlying challenges facing sachet water producers in Enugu. ATWAP’s move aims to draw attention to the plight of its members and galvanize support from relevant stakeholders, including government authorities and regulatory bodies, to find sustainable solutions to the crisis.
Central to the industry’s struggle is the issue of pricing. As production costs continue to soar, producers are left with little choice but to pass on the burden to consumers in the form of higher prices. The proposed increase in the price of a bag of sachet water to N300 underscores the severity of the situation and highlights the challenges faced by ordinary Nigerians who rely on sachet water as a primary source of clean drinking water.
However, the prospect of higher prices poses a significant concern for consumers, many of whom are already grappling with the economic hardships brought about by inflation and rising living costs. The sachet water industry has long been hailed for its affordability and accessibility, particularly for low-income households. Any substantial increase in prices could disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, further exacerbating the country’s socio-economic inequalities.
Beyond the immediate economic implications, the crisis facing sachet water producers also raises broader questions about Nigeria’s water infrastructure and public health policies. Despite being a major producer of bottled water, Nigeria continues to grapple with inadequate access to safe drinking water, particularly in rural areas. The reliance on sachet water as a substitute underscores the failures of successive governments to address systemic issues related to water quality and infrastructure development.
As to the statement, the decision was made to facilitate their search for a feasible resolution to numerous issues the association members were facing.
“The current harsh economic situation in the country, especially as it affects materials and other logistics for the production of table and sachet water in the state, was critically reviewed,” the statement reads.
“After hours of deliberations on the overwhelming challenges being encountered by ATWAP members, especially the over 500 percent increase in the prices of raw materials and other factors of production, we have come to this decision.
“The 500 percent increase in prices of raw materials, which included nylon, parking bags, purifying materials, procurement of water from boreholes located outside the city, diesel, a high electricity tariff, haulage transportation, and other maintenance staff costs,.
“Also, the upward review of various fees charged by both agencies of the state and local government areas within our areas of operations was another strong reason.
ATWAP received field reports from different association zones indicating that a high number of producers had closed their factories as a result of high material costs and other production issues, which had raised the member death rate.
“With effect from February 16, 2024, a bag of sachet water (20 sachets) will be sold at #300 to enable the producers sustain their operations and rescue their businesses from total collapse,” the statement continues.
“Any defaulter or violator of this resolution unanimously endorsed by all members of ATWAP, Enugu state chapter will pay a fine of #200,000 per any truck caught by the ATWAP taskforce that had already been charged to enforce the exercise.
“Members are however advised to mobilize their staff within the period of factory shutdown to clean up their production equipments and keep their environment clean as the taskforce would soon embark on factory inspection to ensure members comply to the resolution and standard operating procedures
However, the association appealed for the cooperation of dealers and consumers for understanding within this period to enable members of the association remain in business ahead of time.
