Tension as Water Producers Plan to Increase Price of Sachet Water in Osun
Tension as Water Producers Plan to Increase Price of
Sachet Water in Osun
Osun State chapter of Association of Table Water Producers of
Nigeria (ATWPN) today hinted that the people of the state should expect increase
in the price of bag of sachet water.
It was also gathered that price of bread has
increased from what it used to be as buyers wondered what must have been
responsible for it.
This is as a result of the increase in the price of
materials used in processing the valuable commodity, bread and water, according
to report.
Tensions have been heightened following a rumours
that the association is planning to go on strike due to the increase in the
price of sachet water.
A sachet of water sold at N5 has increased to N10
while information has it that the price may still go higher.
Speaking with journalists, the state Chairman of the
association, Prince Ademola Adeyeye, said the increase in bag of sachet water
from N70 to N100 is still normal.
He hinted that the price might go up after the
association meet, citing the increase in nylon and other materials as reasons
for the likely increase.
Adeyeye said 500kilogram of nylon that was sold at
N450 in January has increased to N880, adding: "We have about 10
regulatory bodies like NAFDAC, SON, Health Ministry, NESREA among others.
He debunked the rumours that the association has
embarked on strike, saying "we are just under selling.”
The association boss 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 ban of sachet water, warning the government not to
effect the plan, as he stressed that the association is one of the employers of
graduates in the country especially Osun State.
Corroborating the association stance, the Chief
Executive Officer of Owo Blow Water, Alhaji Owolabi Mufutau, said even with the
new price-N100 per bag-there is no profit in sachet water business, urging consumers
to bear with the current situation.
The General Manager, Osun State Water Corporation,
Mr Gbenga Owojuyigbe, added that the ministry was expecting over N60 million
from the association, noting that the association has been making money from
government water without paying their due.
Owojuyigbe, who noted that the state government has
accented to the water bill, threatened that many of the defaulter will soon be
prosecuted.
Meanwhile, it was also learnt that the price of
bread has been hiked by about 20 per cent.
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