The Association of Table Water Producers has urged the Federal Government to establish a special water production and supply intervention fund for the water industry.
The association said the fund, which would serve as a palliative measure to cushion the impacts of the fuel subsidy removal on the pure water business, should be provided for its members at a single-digit interest rate.
In a statement, the ATWAP President, Mrs. Clementina Ativie, said the fund would reduce the unbearable high cost of production, lamenting that Nigerians in the water industry were struggling to survive.
She said, “We understand the importance of maintaining a steady and reasonable pricing for our products. We equally understand that the market is ever-changing, and that adjustment may be inevitable at a time.
However, the inconsistency in price, increase of our packaging materials, and the frequency it occurs especially by nylon manufacturers have caused us great economic strain.
As a result of this, we have been struggling to survive.”
“Corruption, fake products and the Nigerian economy.
According to her, those who depend on their value chain for survival and means of their livelihood are enormous.
Ativie said the government should not allow the pure water industry to collapse, citing its crucial role in bridging the unemployment gap apart from making portable water accessible to Nigerians.
She lamented, “The economic realities of our time have placed heavy hands on us. We are pained and constrained today to tell Nigerians and the government that we have reached a breaking point and therefore need government intervention, as well as the understanding and cooperation of Nigerians at this critical time to avoid a total collapse of the availability and affordability of sachet water for Nigerians in Nigeria.
“Our greatest worry is that no government or its agencies have ever remembered us for any sort of palliative or financial consideration and support to enhance our business since the government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of providing potable water for her large population.