Enugu: ‘Pure Water’ Producers Increase Price, Commence Three-Day Strike

Enugu Table Water Producers’ Association (ETWPA) Raises Price of Sachet Water to N300 Per Bag, Initiates Three-Day Shutdown Due to High Production Costs

The Enugu State ATWAP Chapter said the decisions were agreed on by members at an emergency meeting held on Feb. 8, 2024, to deliberate on the challenges confronting them.

The Chairman of ATWAP, Enugu State Chapter, Mr Tony Edike, and its State Secretary, Sir Clems Nwamadi, announced this in a statement issued on Sunday in Enugu.

“After hours of deliberations on the overwhelming challenges being encountered by ATWAP members, especially the over 500 percent increase in the prices of raw materials and other factors of production, we have to come to this decision.

“Following the 500 percent increase in the prices of raw materials, which included, nylon, parking bags, purifying materials, procurement of water from boreholes located outside the city, diesel, high electricity tariff, haulage/transportation and other maintenance and staff costs, we had to close shop.

“Also, the upward review of various fees charged by both agencies of the state and local governments within our areas of operations, is also a factor,” it said.

According to the statement, ATWAP after receiving field reports from various zones of the association indicated that many producers had shut down their factories due to the high cost of materials and other production challenges that had increased their rate among the members.

The statement said that ATWAP Enugu State Chapter hereby resolves as follows: “With effect from Feb. 16, 2024, a Bag of Sachet Water (20 sachets) will be sold at N300 to enable the producers to sustain their operations and rescue their businesses/investments from total collapse.

“Any defaulter/violator of this resolution which was unanimously endorsed by all members of ATWAP Enugu State Chapter, will pay a fine of N200,000 per any truck/driver caught by the ATWAP Task Force already mandated to enforce the exercise.

According to them, the close down of operations by members will last from Monday, Feb. 12 (tomorrow) to Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

They added that all Table Water Producers in Enugu State, including Sachets and Pet Bottles, are required to down tools and suspend all production in compliance with the directive.

The statement indicated that the shutdown of operations will enable members to seek a workable solution to the many challenges confronting their businesses.

“The current harsh economic situation in the country, especially as it affects materials and other logistics for the production of sachet water in the state, were critically reviewed.

“Members are advised to mobilize their staff during the period of the factory shutdown to clean up their equipment and keep their environment clean as the Task Force will soon embark on Factory Inspection to ensure that members comply with standard operating procedures.”

The statement, however, appealed for the cooperation of dealers and consumers, as “we are hereby soliciting their understanding during this period to enable us (the producers) to remain in business.