Manufacturers of sachet water, popularly known as ‘pure water’ in Awka and its environ have blamed the recent hike in the price of the commodity on high cost of raw materials.
They disclosed this to ABS Correspondent, Emmanuel Okonkwo, who monitored the recent price of the commodity in Awka reports that during the monitoring exercise, it was discovered that a set of sachet water earlier sold for one thousand, three hundred naira, is now one thousand, five hundred naira, while retailers sell a bag of the commodity for two hundred naira, and a sachet, twenty naira.
It was also discovered that the last weekend’s strike by the manufacturers and the recent increase in price of the commodity are as a result of increase in prices of raw materials in the market.
According to the Anambra State President of Table Water Producers Association, Reverend Augustine Ofiaeli, raw materials for the production of the commodity have skyrocketed, forcing manufacturers to increase the commodity’s price in order to cover their expenses.
Reverend Ofiaeli disclosed that hundred pieces of packing bag, which sold between two thousand, five hundred naira and three thousand naira, is now nine thousand naira at the market, and half ton of foils sold for three hundred and fifty thousand naira, is now between one point five million, and one point six million naira.
Another manufacturer, Miss Pearl Anyaelechi, explained that apart from the hike in the prices of raw materials, members also have to make up for other recurring expenses in order to maintain production machines and supply vehicles.
Some retailers who spoke to the ABS, including Mr. Ugo James and Miss Chimamanda Ukpai, said even at the present twenty naira they sell a sachet of the commodity, there is not much profit in the business, considering transportation and other expenses they make daily.
Blaming manufacturers and sellers of the commodity for the hike, some customers, including Mr. Stanley Okafor, Mrs. Amaka Emeh, and Mr. Uchenna Afunanya, called on Government to look into the activities of major players in the production of the commodity, in order to save poor masses from unnecessary hardship.
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