From Uchenna Ezeadigwe
Awka
Producers of sachet water, popularly known as ‘pure water’ in Awka and its environ have identified and blamed the recent hike in the price of the commodity on high cost of raw materials.
News Echo who monitored the recent price of the commodity in Awka and its environs reports that during the monitoring exercise, it was discovered that a set of sachet water (11 bags) 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 equally gathered 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 noted 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, Mr. Peter Asogu 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.
Also, two of the retailers who spoke to News Echo, Mrs. Igwe and Mr. Chukwudi Uche, said even at the present twenty naira they sell a sachet of water, there is no much profit in the business, considering transportation and other expenses they make daily.
Lamenting over the new development, some customers, including Mr. Jachi Aghara Mrs. Amara Onwubiko, and Mr. Ebuka Chukwu urged the state govermnet to look into the activities of major players in the production of the commodity, in order to save the masses from unnecessary hardship.
