Abuja: Some sachet water and ice block sellers in Kpeyegyi and Kurudu communities of the FCT have raised concerns over poor electricity supply, saying it is threatening their businesses. The traders told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that the situation had led to a sharp increase in the prices of the commodities.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mrs. Victoria Alizi, a trader, said unstable power supply had greatly increased operational costs, forcing a hike in the price of sachet water. She mentioned that she previously sold a bag of sachet water for N400 but now buys it at N500 and sells at N600 per bag. Alizi further explained that the cost per sachet had risen from three for N100 to N50 per sachet due to the rising cost of ice blocks. Previously, ice blocks were priced between N500 and N700, but now they cost as much as N1,500. She added that profit margins had dwindled, with patronage declining as consumers sought cheaper alternatives. Alizi appealed to relevant authorities to ensure stable electricity supply to ease production challenges, reduce costs, and improve livelihoods.
Mr. Simon Boss, an ice block producer, said the situation had disrupted production, as he now relies heavily on petrol and diesel generators. He noted that the high cost of fuel had increased operating expenses, forcing producers to pass the burden on to consumers. Boss highlighted that the impact is especially felt during the peak of the dry season when demand is high. He added that some operators are recording losses due to partially frozen or melted products caused by unstable power supply, while others can no longer meet customer demand consistently. Boss remarked that the situation was more severe for small-scale operators who lacked the resources to sustain prolonged generator use, leading some producers to scale down operations or shut down entirely, thus reducing supply.
Mr. Jude Makera, a sachet water producer, said frequent power outages often halted production for hours, days, or even up to a week, reducing output. He emphasized the dependence on electricity for processes ranging from water purification to sealing, indicating that production halts when there is no power, with running generators daily being expensive. Makera noted that low-income households were especially affected, as they bore the rising cost of water alongside increased fuel and transportation expenses. He also urged relevant authorities to address the situation urgently, noting that the business serves as a major source of livelihood for many families in the communities.