The general public will from next week pay more for sachet water and transportation following the announcement by the service providers to increase their prices and fares.
While the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the coalition of
private transport operators have agreed to a 30 per cent increment in fares
from Wednesday, September 21, 2022, the National Association of Sachet and
Packaged Water Producers (NASPWAP) has announced an increment in the prices of
sachet and bottled water effective Monday, September 19, 2022.
The water producers said the increment had been necessitated by rising cost of
inputs such as fuel and packaging materials which were mainly imported, as well
as increase in electricity and water tariffs which took effect from September
1, this year.
Water
With the proposed increment, a sachet of water popularly called (pure water) is
to be sold at 50 pesewas, with a 500 millilitre (ml) bottle of water at GH¢2,
while the 750 ml and the 1.5 litre bottles will now be sold at GH¢ 2.5 and
GH¢3.50, respectively.
Additionally, a bag of sachet water -30 sachets, which is 500ml, will be sold
at GH¢7 while mini shops will retail at GH¢9.
According to the association “fuel prices have significantly gone up since our
last review. It was GH¢9 and now it is GH¢14.50,” the president of the water
producers group, Magnus Nunoo explained.
He, therefore, urged members across the regions to ensure uniformity in the
pricing.
Mr Nunoo, however, cautioned that there might be slight variations in the
regions due to different haulage charges to remote and distant areas.
“The suggested adjustment is to help producers cover their production costs. We
appreciate the difficulties our consumers have to go through to endure these
hardships. We appeal to all to bear with us,” he said.
Transport fares
In a related development, the GPRTU said the decision to adjust transport fares
upwards was to help sustain their business, given the rise in the cost of fuel
and spare parts.
“In consultation with our mother body, the GPRTU of TUC, we wish to announce to
the general public that there will be a 30 percent increment on fares starting
September 21, 2022,” the Public Relations Officer of the GPRTU, Abass Imoro,
said in a statement.
He also attributed their decision to the increment in fuel products, spare
parts and the poor management of the economy by the government, adding “we are
unable to make enough money to cater for our family and pay off our loans”.
“Electricity and water tariffs, prices of spare parts, food and pure water have
all increased, hence we have no option but to also increase our fares,” the
statement added.
The association, however, cautioned its members not to charge more than the
approved 30 percent increase.
Source: graphic.com.gh