Citing high manufacturing material costs, the Nigerian Association of Table Waters Producers has stated that N100 might be the price at which sachet water, also known as pure water, is marketed.
The PUNCH reported that, the association’s members bemoaned the difficulties they encounter, citing high production costs, power outages, and the expense of petrol as examples. They emphasized that the cost of water sales is a reflection of the nation’s circumstances.
At a press conference on Tuesday about the impact of increased packaging material manufacturing costs on Nigeria, the manufacturers made this revelation in Lagos.
They said that manufacturers have to pay extra in order to get high-quality water to customers’ doorsteps.
The president of the group, Clementina Ativie, stated that “Pure water is now sold for N50, and it is even going up to N100 per one. There is nothing we can do on our end. Production has a hefty cost.
“We were paying N1,100 per kilogram for materials (nylon) as of December of last year. Now, the 6 kg of nylon costs N3,600 or N3,700. Furthermore, the expense of treatment is substantial. Three price increases for these commodities occur in a single week. We also find it challenging to raise the cost of water.
“I don’t know where we are going if regular Nigerians can’t afford clean water. The pure water factory is entirely financed by the personal savings or loans of each water producer.
“Loans to manufacturers of clean water are rarely granted by banks. Nigerians should be patient with us. Nigerians should not be forced to pay more than N20 per sachet for water. Numerous factors, notably the cost of fuel, have been impacted by manufacturing costs.” the president claimed.
The Lagos State Association for Table Water Producers Chairman, Imolabake Mostri, discussed the impact of the association’s decision to lay off nearly 30,000 employees, stating that the Federal Government would not be able to handle the layoff situation.
She said “You can do the maths: if we eventually fold up, 30 to 20 workers by 30,000 producers across Nigeria, I don’t think the government would be able to handle the crisis.
“These are young people without jobs, so they can commit crimes.”
Recall that on Monday, human rights organizations, the Coalition for Revolution and the Joint Action Front took to the streets of Lagos State to demonstrate against the rising cost of living and food prices in the nation.
In a similar spirit, young people in the capital of Oyo State, Ibadan, took to the streets on Monday to demonstrate against the rising cost of food and the status of the economy.
Prior to that, young people protested the rising cost of food and the status of the economy on Monday by taking to the streets of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
Demonstrators assembled in the state’s Mokola region, brandishing banners bearing a variety of messages that said, among other things, “Tinubu, don’t forget your promises,” “End food hike and inflation,” and “The poor are starving.”
They expressed their complaints by chanting songs as well.
