One of the most intense and defining moments of the AGM came during the deliberations on sachet water pricing across Lagos State. What began as a routine agenda item quickly evolved into a heated, passionate debate, reflecting the real pressures water producers are facing in today’s challenging business climate.

A Room Filled With Concerns

Zonal chairpersons from across Lagos took turns presenting the issues confronting their members.
The concerns poured in thick and fast:

• Severe price drops caused by unregulated operators selling far below market standards.
• Sanitation and hygiene challenges, especially from producers outside HWAPAN who operate without proper oversight.
• Frequent breakages and production losses, worsened by rising costs of materials and logistics.
• Non-compliance cases, where some producers ignored industry standards, creating unfair competition.
• Task force enforcement difficulties, with officers facing resistance when trying to uphold the association’s rules.
• Multiple taxation burdens, squeezing the already thin margins of legitimate producers.

Each zone painted the same picture: the industry was bleeding, and a bold, unified action was needed.

Clashing Opinions and Tough Questions

The debate grew fiery as members disagreed on the best path forward.
Some argued for market-driven flexibility, while others insisted that the association must draw a decisive line to protect the integrity of the business. The room buzzed with strong opinions:

• “If we don’t fix the price, we’ll keep fighting ourselves,” some said.
• “But will everyone comply?” others challenged.
• “What about areas where saboteurs keep crashing the market?”

Voices rose. Hands waved. Zonal leaders defended their territories with passion.
For a moment, it seemed consensus might slip away.

A Turning Point

The breakthrough came when the discussions shifted from individual struggles to the collective survival of the industry. Members acknowledged that no single producer or zone could win alone—the industry could only stabilize through unity.

When the Lagos State Chairman, Rev. Ebere S. Ibeawuchi, addressed the hall, he emphasized:

“Without a singular price, we cannot stand as one. Without unity, every challenge—from sanitation to regulation—will overwhelm us.”

Slowly, the temperature in the room dropped. Heads nodded. A shared understanding began to form.

The Final Resolution

After careful deliberation and honest conversations, the entire house reached a historic agreement:

The price of a bag of sachet water in Lagos State was set at ₦400.

It was agreed unanimously—a clear sign that every member recognized the need for discipline, collaboration, and fairness.

To cement the agreement, the price decision was officially stamped and endorsed by the State Chairman.

Why This Matters

This price is more than a figure—it represents:

• A commitment to quality and hygiene.
• A stand against illegal and unregulated operators.
• A unified shield against market sabotage.
• A support system for producers struggling with rising costs.
• A practical step to enforce the new bye-law and constitution, ensuring discipline and cooperation.

The Way Forward

With this agreement, HWAPAN Lagos State now has a clear path:

• Strict enforcement through the task force.
• Boosted compliance with the new bye-law.
• Joint action against non-members operating outside regulation.
• Better sanitation oversight, ensuring only hygienic water reaches consumers.
• More coordinated pricing, reducing internal competition and strengthening the industry.

What began as a heated argument ended as a united decision—one that sets the foundation for a more stable, organized, and respected sachet water industry across Lagos State.