The Association of Table Water Producers of Nigeria has announced plans to shut down operations, and hike prices of sachet and bottled water due to the high cost of production and raw materials.
It noted that the temporary closure would enable operators to clean the system and change some production lines before the commencement of the new price.
The Federal Capital Territory Chairman, Mohammed Akwuh, stated this in Abuja, at a two-day capacity building for members, tagged “Quality product, sustainability and climate change in an unstable economy.”
According to him, ATWAP has encountered so many challenges in the course of production, adding that the issue of a power outage has been one of the major challenges faced by producers.
He added that the outcome of our sales goes on the economy of the country.
“The increase is long overdue. We are truly looking into that for an increase and Nigerians should expect that.
“After this training, we are going to shut down for a while so that we can actually clean the system and change some production lines before the increase.
We will give every consumer value for their money. There is a need for an increment because of production cost and sources of raw materials.”
The National President, Clementina Atvie, said the training will provide a sustainable solution to the challenges the association has been facing and also bring its members into full compliance with the regulatory agencies’ requirements and global best practices.
Inflation is what is killing 99 per cent of water producers. A lot of our factories are shut. Many of our members cannot cope. That is why we are asking the federal government to come to our aid,” she said.
She disclosed that ATWAP had declared war against quacks and unregistered members, adding that those caught had to be reported to the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, for prosecution.
“Anybody that starts production today, whether registered with NAFDAC or not we know because our drivers sell water and bring it into the environment.
Speaking on the importance of the training, Atvie said that the training was organised to teach members how to produce quality water and to make sure that most production waste which is not biodegradable turned into another kind of wealth.
“Based on that, ATWAP came up with a self-regulation policy and training to make our people aware and get used to means of giving Nigerians potable water.
We are going to do it in all the 36 states and that is what we have started today. We are training our members not only on how to produce quality and wholesome water, we are also training them on the cost to eliminate quacks.
She added, “99% of our members do not even know the cost of our production. So, when you make them know that, they will now put the best pricing affordably and make us to still remain in business because water is life. Again, with the way things are going, you can see climate change.
“To mitigate environmental problems, we have also decided to use this training to teach our members the roles they are supposed to play in our environment by making sure that most of our production waste which is not biodegradable turned into another kind of wealth that can be used to enhance our environment.”