Residents of Lagos State are raising alarms over a severe scarcity of sachet water, commonly known as pure water, which has gripped the state for the past three days.
The crisis has reportedly been fueled by unconfirmed reports that the Lagos State Government has imposed a ban on its production and distribution, leaving many struggling to access affordable drinking water.
The few sachets of water available in the market are being sold at exorbitant prices, with one sachet now costing ₦50, and three sachets going for ₦100.
This marks a dramatic spike from the previous price of ₦20 per sachet. The price hike has hit low-income earners the hardest, as pure water is the primary source of drinking water for many Lagosians.
“It’s becoming unbearable. Even with the high prices, you can hardly find pure water to buy. How are we supposed to survive in this heat?” lamented a Worker in Oshodi.
Although no official statement has been released by the Lagos State Government, rumors suggest the scarcity stems from a ban on sachet water production.
The alleged ban is speculated to be part of efforts to address the environmental hazards posed by discarded plastic sachets.
However, critics argue that the government should have provided alternatives before enforcing such a policy. “We agree that plastics are an issue, but banning pure water without any alternative is punishing the masses,” said a local activist.
The scarcity has triggered widespread frustration, with many Lagosians demanding immediate government intervention and a clear explanation of the situation.
As tensions rise, stakeholders in the water production sector are calling for dialogue with the government to resolve the crisis and ensure the availability of safe and affordable drinking water for residents.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.