As part of CPC commitment to protect Consumer’s rights and to make sure they are not shortchanged in any form, The Director General, Imo State Consumer Protection Council (CPC) Hon. Mrs Obioma Okafor has confirmed the immediate reduction in the price of satchet water, popularly known as “pure water” from ₦250 per bag to ₦150 per bag and from ₦20 a satchet to ₦10 a satchet to the final Consumer.
This was contained in a press release signed by the Director General of the Imo State CPC, Hon. Mrs Obioma Okafor and made available to newsmen in the state.
For more than three months in Imo State, a bag of Sachet Water has been selling at the rate of 300 to 250, which consumers of this product has complained bitterly to that effect.
Before arriving at this decision, we gathered that, the Council has met severally with the leadership of Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) and other stakeholders in the industry in Imo state.
“As a regulatory agency we are very much concerned with the Protection of Consumer’s interest and the reduction was to mitigate the pains and sufferings of Imo citizens.The council is determined to ensure that consumers in the state have value for their money, there will be no compromise of any kind, as we are not resting in our efforts, until the consumers are adequately protected” the release read in part.
According to her, producers, wholesalers and retailers of satchet water (pure water) in the state must comply with this directive or face the wrath of the law.
She further noted that, her ultimate desire is to ensure that all portable water produced and distributed in imo state is pure and certified for human consumption.
Obioma, further seized the opportunity to urge the general public to insist on buying at the new price and report cases of infringement to CPC. Meanwhile, the council surveillance and enforcement officers will continue to move round the state to see the level of compliance to this directives and also ensure that it is obeyed.
“We want to warn those who are still cutting corners to do the needful or face sanctions which range from outright sealing to huge fine” She submitted.
Moving forward, the Council will be working with stakeholders in the industry to achieve further reduction on the price of pure water and other essential commodities in the market.
