TheCable

The Enugu chapter of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) says it has suspended production in all factories in the state over “unbearable costs”.

Tony Edike, chairman of ATWAP, disclosed this in a statement issued alongside Clems Nwamadi, secretary of the association, in Enugu.

He said this was part of resolutions reached at the association’s emergency meeting on February 8, 2024.

All producers of table water, including those who produce sachet water and pet bottles, were instructed to cease operations and manufacturing from Monday, February 12 to Thursday, February 15, 2024.

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

“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.

“The 500 percent increase in 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 staff cost.

“Also the upward review of various fees charged by both agencies of the state and local government areas within our areas of operations, was another strong reason.

“ATWAP received field reports from different association zones indicating that a high number of producers had closed their factories as a result of high material costs and other production issues.”

The association said it has been left with no other option but to pass down cost of production to the consumers.

“With effect from February 16, 2024, a bag of sachet water (20 sachets) will be sold at N300 to enable the producers sustain their operations and rescue their businesses from total collapse,” the statement added.

“Any defaulter or violator of this resolution unanimously endorsed by all members of ATWAP, Enugu state chapter will pay a fine of N200,000 per any truck caught by the ATWAP taskforce that had already been charged to enforce the exercise.

“Members are however advised to mobilize their staff within the period of factory shutdown to clean up their production equipment and keep their environment clean as the task force would soon embark on factory inspection to ensure members comply with the resolution and standard operating procedures.”