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.