Residents of Monrovia and its environs were recently hit by a rise in the price of a sachet of water—the most basic of all commodities. The price of a water sachet increased by 100% (from L$5 to L$10), sparking concern about the Boakai administration’s readiness to regulate market price and pay attention to the people’s needs.
Speaking to newsmen recently, the Spokesperson of the Liberia Water Producers Association, Joseph Bonner, Jr., said the recent increase in the price of a bag and sack of mineral water was driven by rising production costs and multiple regulatory charges across government institutions. He claimed that fuel prices surged from about L$800 to L$1,225 per gallon, significantly increasing production and distribution costs for water producers who rely on generators and transport trucks.
Bonner alleged that producers in Paynesville are also paying US$110 per machine in operational fees to the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC), a cost he said places heavy pressure on businesses operating multiple machines.
He further cited additional regulatory and compliance costs, including fees linked to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and water testing requirements, as well as charges linked to groundwater regulation by the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC).
However, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has stepped in to resolve the situation and find remedies to the problem. On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Magdalene Dagoseh, held a meeting with the Liberia Water Producers Association and cautioned them against unjustified price hikes and.
Following the discussion, the association agreed to revert prices to L$85 per sack and L$5 per bag, effectively halting the recent increase.
The ministry warned that it will continue to monitor the market to ensure compliance and affordability for all Liberians. The water producers, too, warned that without sustained relief measures, maintaining stable water prices may remain difficult for producers across the country.
