The executive
body of the Sachet Water Producers in the Upper East Region will be meeting February
6 to decide as to whether to increase the price of sachet water from 20 to 30
Ghana pesewas or otherwise.
In an interview with Radio Ghana's Isaac Asare, the Regional
Chairman of the Sachet Water Producers Association, Simon Sim, said though
there has been an upward adjustment in the price of sachet water including the
retail price effective today, producers in the region have been asked to wait
for the outcome of the said upcoming meeting before the new price is affected.
Last
Tuesday, the President of the National Association of sachet and packaged water
producers, Magnus Nunoo, announced that with effect from February 1, the price
of sachet water will go up from 20 pesewas to 30 Ghana pesewas while the retail
price of a bag of 30 will go up to five Ghana Cedis.
This was partly due to the
sudden upward review of water and electricity tariff as announced by the
PURC.
Based on the development, the association subsequently made a passionate appeal
to the PURC to consider the plight of Ghanaians particularly sachet water
producers by reducing the rate.
After series of consultation with the
regulatory bodies concerned, water tariff did not see any meaningful reduction,
hence the decision to also increase the price of water.
Asked whether there was
any valid justification for the increment, Mr Sim said due to the continuous fall
of the cedi against other major foreign currencies, the price of the rubber
which is usually imported from abroad and used in the production of the water
had also increased.
Moreover, the price of vehicle spare parts used in the maintenance
of their commercial activities have also seen a corresponding increment since
they are also imported from abroad.
According to him, various factors account
for the decision taken by the national body but said the region was still contemplating
as to whether to respond positively to the directive, adding that the final decision
will be made after its proposed meeting come Saturday.
GBC
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