Tension, as Water Producers plan to increase price of sachet water

From Lateef Dada

Osun State chapter of Association of Table Water Producers of Nigeria has hinted that people of the state should expect increase in the price of bag of water.

This is as a result of the increase in the price of materials used in processing the valuable commodity, water.

Tensions have been heightened following a rumour that the association is planning to go on strike due to the increase in the price of sachet water.

A sachet of ‘pure water’ that has been selling at N5 has increased to N10 while information has it that the price may still go higher.

Speaking with our correspondent, the state chairman of the association, Prince Ademola Adeyeye, said the increase in bag of pure water from N70 to N100 is still normal.

He hinted that the price may go up after the meeting of the association, citing the increase in nylon and other materials as reasons for the likely increase.

Adeyeye said that 500kg of nylon that was sold at N450 in January has increased to N880, adding “we have about 10 regulatory body like NAFDAC, SON, Health Ministry, NESREA, among others.

He debunked the rumour that the association has embarked on strike, saying “we are under selling.

He said the hike in materials like nylon is perceived as a ploy by the Federal Government to phase out sachet water in the country.

He recalled that the Federal Ministry of Environment had in 2014 called for the ban of sachet water, warning the government not to effect the plan.

He stressed that the association is one of the employer of graduates in many states, especially Osun state.

Corroborating the association, the Chief Executive Officer of Owo Blow Water, Alhaji Owolabi Mufutau, said even with the new prize, N100 per bag, there is no profit on pure water, urging the consumer to bear with the current situation.

The General Manager, Osun State Water Corporation, Mr Gbenga Owojuyigbe, said the ministry is expecting over N60 million from the association, noting that the association have been making money from the government water without paying their due.

Owojuyigbe who noted that the state government has accented to the Water Bill, threatened that many of the defaulters will soon be prosecuted.

He maintained that the association has only option of dredging bore hole for their businesses instead of enjoying government’s services without contribution to the government.

However, the association chairman debunked the allegation that its members owed about N60 million, saying less than 30 out of about 110 members are using the state water corporation for their production.

Adeyeye said many of the association did not have access to the state water corporation as they solely depend on bore hole water.

He added that no water factory can be certified without good bore hole for its production, wondering why the state water corporation could make such allegation against his member.

Meanwhile, the price of bread has been hiked by about 20 per cent.