Ikom Residents Decry Pure Water Price Hike
By Missang Akpet
Residents of Ikom metropolis have expressed growing frustration over the sharp increase in the price of sachet water, popularly known as pure water, across the area.
A sachet now sells for N100, while a bag containing 20 sachets is priced at about N1,500, placing additional strain on households that depend on it for daily consumption.
Michael Osim, a kiosk operator at Four Corners, attributed the development to a disruption in supply from producers. He explained that retailers were compelled to adjust prices following a halt in distribution by factories, which many initially believed was due to a strike.
However, the Managing Director of Okune Table Water, Barrister Tasen Okune, clarified that there was no industrial strike. He explained that members of the Sachet Water Union only suspended production briefly for two days beginning Friday to resolve internal issues relating to compliance, safety standards, and pricing.
Okune noted that although production was set to resume on Monday after the internal review, the situation escalated when local chiefs in Ikom sealed the factories. According to him, the action was based on allegations that producers deliberately withheld supply to justify a price increase.
He disclosed that the union had agreed to adjust the price of a bag of sachet water from N400 to N500 in response to prevailing economic conditions affecting production.
He further explained that the rising cost of raw materials, coupled with the lack of stable electricity supply in Ikom, has forced producers to rely heavily on diesel, thereby increasing operational costs.
Questioning the decision of the traditional authorities, Okune argued that other businesses have also adjusted their prices in response to economic realities without facing similar sanctions.
Despite the standoff, he expressed optimism that ongoing engagements between the union and the chiefs would lead to a resolution, allowing normal production and distribution to resume in the metropolis.
