Water prices hike despite manufacturers resuming operation

The prices of bottled water have doubled hitting hard consumers despite the manufacturers resuming operation.
Kunda Hassan, at his brother’s shop in Mia Saba.

By Arich Deng Anyar

The prices of bottled water have doubled hitting hard consumers despite the manufacturers resuming operation.

 The Association for South Sudan Manufacturers (ASSM) last week threatened to shut down operation in protest of the exorbitant environmental fees imposed on them by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

Speaking to the Dawn on Tuesday, Marline Joseph, who sells bottled water in Buluk suburb of Juba, said a bottled water of 600 milliliters is now selling at 1,500 SSP from the previous 1000 SSP.

She said that the increase in prices stems from the suppliers, adding that the change has affected business.

“The first day when the prices increased a lot of customers complained but they didn’t stop buying, because other shops are even selling above our prices,” said Joseph.

“We still have a lot of customers but some other ordinary citizens are unable to afford the price,” she disclosed.

Kunda Hassen, who works at his brother’s shop in Mia -Saba residential area, said he previously used to buy a caton of water at 13,000 SSP but it is currently going for 20,000 SSP.

“First of all, it is affecting me because the customers are complaining, asking why the water is more expensive, but I try my level best to push with them like that,” he said.

Hassan said that customers are left with no option but to dig deep into their pockets.

Mustafa Abdallah Muhammad, a shop owner in Munuki suburb, said that his small business survives on water, as he could shut down if he runs out of stock any time.

Muhammad is now selling the small bottle of water at 2000 SSP and 1.5 bottles at 2,500 SSP.

Another shop owner in Mia Saba, Marcos Reech Bak, said that many of his customers are complaining about the water prices.

“It has affected me so much because a lot of customers are complaining, and the market itself isn’t working like before. So, we are just pushing on,” said Reech.

He said that he previously used to but a carton at 15,000 but he is now buying the same at 20,000 SSP.

Reech said he is now counting loses and is contemplating increasing the prices further to keep his business alive.

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