By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Association of Table Waters Producers (ATWAP) has stated that the price of pure (sachet) water may be sold for N100 per one due to the high cost of production materials.
They lamented that producers face challenges such as the high cost of diesel, lack of power as well as high cost of production, stressing that the price of water sales reflects the situation of the country.
This was disclosed during a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, where the Association of Table Waters Producers (ATWAP) stated that the price of pure water may be sold at N100 per one due to the high cost of production materials.
They lamented that producers face challenges such as the high cost of diesel, lack of power as well as high cost of production, stressing that the price of water sales reflects the situation of the country.
They noted that for producers to bring quality portable water to the doorsteps of consumers, they’ve to pay more, because of the current cost of materials for water production.
One of the members 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 at last year December, we were buying materials (nylon) for N1,100 per KG. The 6 kg of nylon is now N3,600/N3,700. The cost of treatment is also high. The increment for these materials comes at 3 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 on 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.”