Consumers Groan Over Scarcity As Price Of Satchet Water Soars

Sachet water popularly called ‘pure water’ has become a very priceless commodity in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja after manufacturers went on indefinite strike.

Since then, consumers have to drive miles to find a retail shop where they can buy the product for either N300 or N400 depending on the area or retail shop.

Before now, a full pack which contains 20 sachets sells for N150 and a sachet goes for N10.

The FCT Chapter of the Association of Table Water Producers Association of Nigeria, imposed an increase due to rising production costs.

“Water producers are to sell to their customers if less than 100 bags at N200 per bag,” the association said in a notice.

“Water Producers are to sell to them at more than 100 bags and above at N180 per bag. Cold room owners are to sell to their bulk buyers of cold water for N240,” the FCT chapter chairman, Mohammed Akwuh.

The producers said the decision which was reached last week Saturday and made public days later follows the rise in cost of producing the commodity.

A retail seller at Gwarinpa Abuja, Iliya, said getting the table water had become very difficult as he has for days not been able to buy from his regular suppliers.

According to him, he could only buy from factories who manage to smuggle and sell to vendors.

“At the sachet water factory, they told me that the association will fine or seal their factory if they discover that they still sell water despite the strike,” the retailer said.

He now sells a sachet water for N20 and a bag for N300.

“Customers have no option than to buy from us because the commodity is scarce to get. But my customers have been complaining of the home in price,” he lamented.

At some places in Abuja, it is very difficult to find a shop where to buy sachet water.

Many people have now switched to consuming bottle water which is N100.

Sometimes, consumers have to fight over the commodity at retail shops where it is available in small quantity.

“I walked a very long distance and could not find where to buy sachet water. It has become scarce like gold,” a supermarket attendant at Yahuza Plaza in Gwarimpa said.