Edo State Government Closes Down 43 Water Factories Over Fraudulent Practices

By IGNATIUS OKPARA, Benin City

As part of its ongoing war on producers of substandard sachet and bottled water in Edo State, the Governor Adams Oshiomhole, led administration says it has sealed up 43 water factories in parts of the state for operating in an unhygienic environments.

The state Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Barrister Washington Osifo, disclosed this on monday in Benin city after a meeting with executives of Water Producers Association in the state.

He explained that other reasons for the closure of the factories were lack of laboratory and laboratory personnel, operating without license and factory deficiency.

Osifo, hinted that the state had begun investigation into the activities of officials of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, for allowing unwholesome practices by water producers.

In his speech, the state Chairman of Water Producers, Henry Eremokhai, had appealed to the Commissioner for the use of testing kit in factories where laboratories were not available.

According to Eremokhai, “There is some level of sanity in the water business since you started the shutting down, we are making a special appeal for the Ministry to slow down on the action.

“There has been an uneasy calm among my members since the Commissioner began the clampdown.

He added :“your sledge hammer is biting on every one of us. We are ready to partner with you to clean the business.

“Those of our members unwilling to comply will be handed over to you,” the Chairman promised.

The Commissioner in his response said the association has not shown proof of purging or sanctioning any of its erring members.

“Why should I wait for you to kill people before we act? I will not modify my operations. Many water producers in this state are supposed to be in jail.

“What will be the function of a test kit without a microbiologist? We are putting the interest of the people first. My duty is to serve the people and protect those fit and proper to do the business.”

He, however, insisted that he would continue the closure of substandard water factories to safeguard the general public.