Oyo sachet water producers propose recycling scheme over total ban

Producers of sachet water in Oyo State, Nigeria, are appealing to the State House of Assembly to reconsider a proposed bill that would ban sachet water as part of efforts to phase out single-use plastics. The Association of Table Water Producers in Oyo State warns that such a ban, if enacted in its current form, could lead to the withdrawal of foreign investors and jeopardize billions of naira in existing investments.

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We were surprised that the bill had gone through the first and second readings before stakeholders like us were invited. Nevertheless, we prepared and submitted a comprehensive memorandum as requested because we believed constructive engagement was the best approach.

Association Chairman Oladejo Adegboyega stated that the proposed legislation, intended to curb environmental pollution by 2027, would also result in significant job losses and limit access to affordable drinking water for millions of residents. He noted that the association learned of the bill through media reports and had sought engagement with lawmakers, submitting a memorandum after the bill had already passed its first and second readings.

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Government has the constitutional power to make laws, but any policy must consider the realities on the ground. Sachet water remains the most accessible and affordable source of drinking water for millions of Nigerians.

Adegboyega emphasized that while the government has the authority to make laws, policies must consider socio-economic realities. He highlighted that sachet water remains the most accessible and affordable source of drinking water for a vast majority of Nigerians, particularly low-income earners. "More than 80 per cent of our population are low-income earners who depend on sachet water daily," he said, adding that bottled water is beyond the reach of the average Nigerian. The association is advocating for a recycling scheme as a more viable alternative to a total ban.

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People can find sachet water in every town, village and rural community. If the alternative is bottled water, that is unrealistic because bottled water is beyond the reach of the average Nigerian. More than 80 per cent of our population are low-income earners who depend on sachet water daily.

The producers also defended the safety of properly produced sachet water, noting that no cholera or typhoid outbreaks have been traced to registered producers. They fear that banning sachet water without a readily available and affordable alternative could force many residents to resort to unsafe water sources.

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Now, the foreign investors partnering with us are threatening to move out of Oyo.