By Favour Ejiofor/ Veronica Dariya
Abuja, March 25, 2026 (NAN) 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.
Mrs Victoria Alizi, a trader, said unstable power supply had greatly increased operational costs, forcing a hike in the price of sachet water.
According to her, she previously sold a bag of sachet water for N400 but now buys it at N500 and sells at N600 per bag.
“I used to sell three sachets for N100, but now it is N50 per sachet because of the rising cost of ice blocks.
“Before, I bought ice blocks for between N500 and N700, but now they cost as much as N1,500,” she said.
Alizi added that profit margins had dwindled, noting that patronage was declining as consumers sought cheaper alternatives.
She 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.
“We are feeling the impact, especially during the peak of the dry season when demand is high.
“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.
“It is tiring; we do not understand why the situation persists,” he said.
Boss added that the situation was more severe for small-scale operators who lacked the resources to sustain prolonged generator use.
He said some producers had scaled down operations or shut down entirely, leading to reduced 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.
“We depend on electricity for everything, from water purification to sealing.
“When there is no power, everything stops, and running generators daily is expensive,” he said.
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. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Tosin Kolade
