The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission expressed that the rise in sachet water price is not acceptable.
The acting Executive Vice-Chairman of the commission, Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, said this during an event marking the 2024 World Consumer Rights Day in Abuja. The event was based on the theme, ‘Fair and Responsible Al for Consumers.’
Abdullahi noted that the increase in sachet water price by different groups is not fair to the consumers and is not acceptable.
The Association of Table Waters Producers of Nigeria announced that sachet water, also known as pure water, could be sold for N100 each due to the high cost of production materials.
Members of the association expressed their difficulties such as high diesel costs, power supply issues, and high production costs, stressing that the water price reflects the country's situation.
However, Abdullahi stated that there was no valid reason for the sachet water price increase as most producers already have the necessary machines.
”Yes, power, fuel, and nylon prices have gone up, but that doesn't justify the huge price increase.
”We've found that most products now have associations, including sachet water producers.
”If you bring eggs from your farm to sell at Wuse market, the egg sellers' association may demand you to sell at lower rates, while they sell to consumers at higher prices.
This has led to the emergence of ‘cartels’ which are not acceptable anywhere in the world,” he said.
The acting FCCPC boss added, ”Our Act prohibits price fixing and we will not tolerate it. We will identify these cartels and take action against their activities.
”Consumers International supported the efforts that revealed the price fluctuations in Nigeria over the past three months, and it's surprising and unacceptable.
”It's simply a cartel issue that we need to break into, investigate, and dissolve such cartels.”
However, he added that consumers must “file a complaint to us before we take action.”
The acting executive vice-chairman explained that although the commission was not a price control agency, it was dedicated to addressing the rapid food price increase.
”The surge in food prices can be attributed to various factors, including market cartels, price fixing, hoarding, lack of pricing transparency.
”FCCPC is actively working to combat these challenges in order to ensure fair pricing and safeguard consumer interests,” he said.
Regarding consumer exploitation and deceptive pricing that led to the sealing of a popular supermarket's headquarters in Abuja by the commission, he mentioned that the supermarket had followed 90 percent of their guidelines.
Abdullahi assured everyone that the commission would continue to monitor supermarkets to ensure effective consumer protection.
NAN
