As economic challenges persist in Nigeria, citizens face yet another hurdle of soaring prices of sachet water, a vital source of drinking water for many.
Sachet water, colloquially known as ‘pure water,’ served as a convenient and inexpensive option for hydration, with prices starting at N5 in the early 2000s.
However, over the years, the cost has steadily climbed to as high as N50 per sachet.
This exponential increase has forced many Nigerians to seek alternative sources of water, including boreholes and wells, despite concerns about their safety.
Residents across the country, from Lokoja to Abuja, lament the financial strain caused by the inflated prices.
Marvelous Sanni, a resident of Lokoja, recounts how a bag of sachet water, once priced at N200, now sells for N400 to N500.
Families like hers have been compelled to turn to borehole water, raising questions about sanitation and health risks.
The situation is dire for households like that of Margret Danjuma in Abuja, who can no longer afford the daily consumption of sachet water.
Resorting to purchasing water from boreholes, Danjuma reflects the broader struggle faced by many Nigerians in securing clean and affordable drinking water amidst economic turmoil.
Local businesses, too, feel the pinch, with some restaurants discontinuing the provision of water to customers or resorting to unconventional methods like selling water in nylon bags.
The Association of Pure Water Producers attributes the price surge to rising production costs, including the cost of materials and treatment.
Experts and consumer protection agencies express concern over the unjustifiable price hikes, attributing them to greed and cartel-like behavior within the industry.
Calls for government intervention to regulate prices and ensure affordability resonate amid the growing hardship faced by Nigerians nationwide.
