The Association of Table Water Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP) Kaduna State Chapter said sachets water might soon disappear from homes in Nigeria due to shortage in production materials.
The Association’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Alhaji Sani Malumfashi disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Kaduna.
According to him, the lockdown in the country and closing of borders is affecting the importation of basic materials used for production.
Malumfashi added that with the prevailing situation they might soon be forced to stop production.
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According to Malumfashi, polythene material used in packaging the water being sold for N750 per kilo, now goes for N1,800 while packaging bag of N3,500 per bundle now sold for N6,000.
“Initially we do have a regular power supply but now we mostly rely on generators and producers now use diesel and because of the lockdown, we patronize black markets,” he said.
“The production materials usually come from China but now with the lockdown, the material is very scared to come by.
“Producers source for materials around the Eastern states and before it gets to Kaduna, which is not usually easy with the lockdown, the price becomes high.
“With this development, it will get to a stage where we will be left with no choice but to stop production completely because the water needs to be packed in sachets for distribution, so that’s our problems now.
“Most of the producers have now stopped production due to lack of production materials to package the water.
“Because of misconception and knowledge of the true situation, we are being accused of hiking price of the sachet water, we are left with no choice but to stop production until the price stabilises,” he said.
He further explained that the initial price of N80 that the sachet water is being sold, was supposed to be more, but they have a lot of quack producers that crash their prices to get more patronage from people.
“So the certified producers find it very difficult to get the real patronage and make a profit because quacks usually crash the price because they don’t follow due process of production,” he said.
He noted that certified producers were partnering with NAFDAC, security agencies to stop such producers.
“It has not been easy for us but we are determined to address the situation by going from factory to factory to ensure that things are done the right way.,” he said.
“We get numerous complaints by members of the public about the influx of substandard water by unregistered water producers,’’ he said.