Calabar Sachet Water Distributors Threaten Strike over N1,800 Daily Toll
By Ekanem ASUQUO
Distributors of sachet water in Calabar have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over what they described as excessive daily levies imposed on their operations by revenue agents in Cross River State.
The vendors, who distribute sachet water across the city using tricycles and vehicles, said the multiple ticket charges placed on their activities amount to about N1,800 every day.
Speaking on behalf of the distributors, Mr Desmond Okra said the situation has become unbearable for operators in the sector.
He explained that the vendors are required to pay several levies daily, including Daily Operation Tolls, Economic Development Levy, Commerce Development Levy, Air Pollution and Climate Change Levy, Cross River Traffic Regulatory Authority Daily Operational Toll, Delivery Tricycle Fee and the Ministry of Environment 2026 Ecology Levy.
According to him, the combined charges amount to N1,800 daily, a development he described as unfair and exploitative.
Okra noted that the amount is far higher than the N500 daily ticket reportedly paid by mini bus and tricycle operators as approved by the Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu.
He said the distributors are demanding a review of the charges and their inclusion in the state ticket regulation framework.
The vendors warned that they may be forced to embark on an indefinite strike if the government fails to address their concerns.
However, the Chairman of the Association of Table Water Producers in the state, Mr Maurice Etim Okon, said he was not aware of any planned protest or strike by the distributors.
Okon explained that members of the association who are properly registered have been exempted from the levies due to the association’s working relationship with revenue authorities.
He said the association had taken steps to reduce the burden on its members, adding that those under the association do not pay the disputed levies.
Efforts to obtain comments from officials of the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
If the planned strike is carried out, it could disrupt the distribution of sachet water in Calabar and nearby communities, creating difficulties for residents who depend on the product for their daily water supply.
Recently, mini bus drivers in Calabar staged protests and blocked major roads in the city over allegations of multiple taxation, harassment and intimidation by government revenue agents.
Tricycle operators, popularly known as Keke riders, also held similar protests weeks later over the same grievances.
Calm was later restored after the Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, ordered a review of the ticketing system and reduced several levies and fines imposed on the operators.
