Rivers State Government Friday, sealed off four satchet water factories in the Diobu axis of Port- Harcourt City Local Government Area of the State for producing illegal and substandard water.
The water factories sealed were: Kamcy table water at 93 Akokwa street, Aquifa water, 4 Nwachukwu Street, Se- Erena water, 84 Anozie street and Giland water of 76 Anozie street respectively.
Briefing newsmen shortly after an unannounced visit to the factories, Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Dr Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, stated that the State Government is concerned about the quality of the water consumed in the State, just as it reiterated the resolve to protect the health of Rivers people including those who live and do business in the State.
His words :”It is disappointing that our people are served with low standard. some factories do their business in the worst of environment, not considering hygiene practices. The Ministry will continue to be in the field to check the trend”.
” It is our responsibility as a Ministry to ensure that those who are into the water industry, shouldn’t be there to make profit.
They should be there to render services which should be commensurate with the charges that they are imposing on residents”.
Dr Jaja said any water company which does not have its plant in the State and whose water quality is not yet certified by the Ministry will not be guaranteed safe for consumption by members of the public.
The Water Resources and Rural Development Commissioner appealed to residents of the State to oblige the Ministry with creditable information regarding illegl water factories within their neighborhood.
The Commissioner who was accompanied on the visit by the Permanent of the Ministry, Miabiye Kalio and Directors, gave a two week grace period to some water factories in Woji and Trans-Amadi areas to improve their facilities to the required standard or risk being sealed.
