UNSTABLE POWER, SKYROCKETING ICE BLOCK COSTS CRUSH SACHET WATER SELLERS’ PROFITS IN NKPOR
By Uchechukwu Muolokwu
Sachet and bottled water vendors in Nkpor are counting heavy daily losses due to Nigeria’s erratic electricity supply, which has forced them to rely on expensive ice blocks to chill their products amid scorching weather.
Mrs. Chinenye Onyedi, a sachet and bottled water seller, shared her frustration: “Before, we could cool water with steady electricity, but now, no sales happen without ice blocks. By day’s end, all my profits go straight to buying them.” She noted that one ice block now costs N1,500 naira from just N300 naira last year when power was more reliable forcing her to absorb massive hits just to move inventory.
”We’re in this hot weather where people crave something cold to refresh themselves, if your water isn’t chilled, you won’t sell a single sachet,” Onyedi added.
Mrs. Anthonia Okafor, a soft drink vendor, echoed the pain. “I can’t sell anything without cooling it first, and ice blocks are too costly. I’ve experienced even more losses this way.”
The root issue traces back to ice block producers themselves. Mrs. Benedict Ifeoma, an ice block seller, explained that inadequate power supply has spiked her operational costs. “Cool rooms now run on diesel and petrol, which are also sky-high in price”. Last year, with uninterrupted electricity, she sold blocks for N300 naira each.
Small business operators are urgently appealing to authorities to address the pressing issues of erratic power supply and fuel scarcity, which are severely impacting their operations. They caution that without prompt intervention, the sustainability of their businesses will be threatened, leading to significant challenges in maintaining daily operations.
Uchechukwu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State