SACHET WATER MANUFACTURERS HALT PRODUCTION IN IMO AMID SOARING COSTS
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By: Muftau Fatimo
Sachet water producers in Imo State have suspended operations for three days due to rising production costs, particularly the escalating price of nylon used for packaging.
The shutdown, initiated on Monday by members of the Association of Table Water Producers, Imo State chapter, has already disrupted supply to residents of Owerri and surrounding areas.
Many residents reported scarcity and higher prices, with a bag of sachet water rising from ₦350 to around ₦500.
Retail hawkers, who typically sold three sachets for ₦100, were observed selling a single sachet for ₦100 on Wednesday, citing reduced supply as the reason for the price hike.
Some members of the association, who spoke on condition of anonymity, linked the development to the rising cost of production, including increased prices of nylon and diesel used to power generators.
One of the sources said, “Due to the ongoing war in Iran, the prices of diesel, fuel, and nylon have increased, and ATWAP members can barely meet up with cost of production. We decided to quietly shut down tools so that people will miss us, and then we can introduce the new price. But we told people that we are doing routine maintenance.”
However, the state Chairman of ATWAP, Bismark Lumanze, denied that producers were on strike, insisting that the shutdown was for routine maintenance.
Lumanze clarified, “No, we are not on strike. We are carrying out scheduled routine maintenance at our factories to ensure the production of clean and safe water.
“We had already adjusted the prices of table and pure water prior to this three-day maintenance break, so claims of a strike are inaccurate. Operations will resume on Thursday at 12 a.m.”
He emphasized that the temporary shutdown was planned to allow operators to clean machinery, replace filters, and service production facilities, ensuring hygiene and safety standards.
The ATWAP chairman also highlighted regulatory challenges facing the sector, including concerns linking sachet water to environmental pollution and legislative efforts by the National Assembly aimed at formalizing and streamlining the industry.
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