gradually going beyond the reach of the common man.
Ndukwe disclosed that many water factories in the state have closed down
over high cost of production.
According to him, “many table water producing companies have closed shop
because of their inability to cope with the situation and remain in
business. The industry feeds over 200,000 Abia families through direct
and indirect employment. Now, you can evaluate the resultant job losses
and its effect on these families.
“In the last one year, a kilogram of nylon roll has increased from N750
to N1, 500. A bundle (1,000 pieces) of packing bag has increased from
N4500 to N9, 000. A litre of diesel has increased from N150 to N250. A
litre of fuel has increased from N140 to N170. Cost of these production
materials is directly dependent on the exchange rate. Today, one dollar
exchanges at N490 to N500, creating more fears that the possibility of
price reduction may not be achievable in the short term.
“Automobile parts and other accessories for vehicle maintenance have
correspondingly shot up yet we maintained the price of water at N10 per
sachet, believing the trend would soon reverse. We can no longer sustain
the price at N10.
He further stated that the taxes and levies charged by the State
government through their agencies such as Board of Internal Revenue and
signage agency, have also been increased to the pains of table water
producers in the state.
“The high cost of production materials has really affected table water
producers. We had no option than to effect a price increase on the unit
cost per bag of sachet water from N100/N120 to N150/200.
“Go and find out how much a sachet is sold in other states in the last 6
months to one year. Then, you will discover that table water producers
in Abia should be commended.”
