NAFDAC shuts 16 sachet water factories in Rivers crackdown
NAFDAC Issues Warning to Sachet Water Producers in Rivers State
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a stern warning to sachet water producers in Rivers State regarding the production of unregistered water. The agency emphasized the necessity of renewing expired licenses to avoid potential penalties.
Chukwuma Oligbu, the NAFDAC Director for the South-South Zone, conveyed this warning following a recent enforcement operation in several areas, including Asari Toru, Akuku Toru, Degema, and Ikwerre Local Government Areas.
During the operation, authorities shut down 16 sachet water factories and summoned their owners for questioning. Inspections revealed that these factories were operating in unsanitary conditions, utilizing unsafe filtration methods, providing inaccurate addresses, and in some cases, using expired licenses or other regulatory violations.
In a statement released on Thursday by Cyril Monye, the Public Relations Officer for the South-South Zone, NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to clamp down on illegal operations. Factories found to be obstructing officials or operating without the proper licenses will face closures and potential prosecution.
The agency also encouraged the public to report any illegal water production activities.
The affected sachet water factories include:
- Obra Bo Table Water, Abalama (Asari Toru LGA)
- Loilia Table Water, Okpo (Degema LGA)
- Jima Table Water, Obuama Harry Town (Degema LGA)
- Inye Table Water, Obuama Harry Town (Degema LGA)
- Obuta Table Water, Obuama Harry Town (Degema LGA)
- S.P. Nimi Table Water, Obuama Harry Town (Degema LGA)
- Soaltam Table Water, Obuama Harry Town (Degema LGA)
- Piasso Table Water, Usokun (Degema LGA)
- Imumsco Table Water, Port Harcourt–Degema Road (Degema LGA)
- Granpa Table Water, Abonnema (Akuku Toru LGA)
- Daa Ajuka Table Water, Abonnema (Akuku Toru LGA)
- Diob Table Water, Abonnema (Akuku Toru LGA)
In Ikwerre LGA, four factories were also closed: AQUA-TOBSON Table Water, DUCO Table Water, CHISODEK Table Water, and NEO BRAIN Table Water.
