The Association of Table Waters Producers of Nigeria has announced that sachet water popularly called pure water could be sold for N100 each, citing high production material costs.
Members of the association lamented that they face challenges such as the high cost of diesel, lack of power as well as high cost of production, emphasising that the price of water sales reflects the situation of the country.
The manufacturers disclosed this on Tuesday at a press conference on the rising production cost of packaging materials and its effect in Nigeria, which was held in Lagos.
They asserted that for producers to bring quality water to the doorsteps of consumers, they had to pay more.
The association’s President, Clementina Ativie, said, “Pure water is sold for N50 now, and it is even going up to N100 per one. At our own end, there’s nothing we can do. The cost of production is high.
“As of last year December, we were buying materials (nylon) for N1,100 per kg. The 6kg of nylon is now N3,600/N3,700. The cost of treatment is also high. The increase in prices of these materials comes at three times in one week. It is also difficult for us to increase the price of water.
“If ordinary Nigerians can’t afford pure water, I don’t know where we are going. Every water producer is funding the pure water factory from personal pockets or borrowed money.
“Many banks don’t give pure water producers loans. We want Nigerians to bear with us. We don’t want Nigerians to buy water at more than N20 per sachet. The cost of production including the price of diesel has affected so many things.”
Speaking on the effect it would have if over 30,000 members of the association decide to lay off their staff, the Chairman, Lagos State Association for Table Water Producers, Imolabake Mostri, said the Federal Government would not be able to cope with the crisis of the layoff.
She said, “If we eventually fold up, you can do the maths, 30 to 20 workers by 30,000 producers all over Nigeria, I do not think the government would be able to cope with the crisis we would have in our hands.
“These are youths that are not employed, hence they can engage in crime.”
Recall that recently human rights groups, the Joint Action Front and the Coalition for Revolution on Monday hit the streets of Lagos State to protest against the soaring price of food and the high cost of living in the country.
In a similar vein, youths in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Monday, hit the street to protest the skyrocketing price of food and the state of the economy.
Before then, youths in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Monday, hit the street to protest the skyrocketing price of food and the state of the economy.