The Edo State Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Barrister Washington Osifo, says the government has sealed up 43 water factories in the state for operating in an unhygienic environment.
The Commissioner disclosed this after a meeting with executives of Water Producers Association in the state on Monday.
He said other reasons for the closure of the factories included lack of laboratory and laboratory personnel, operating without license and factory deficiency. He stated 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.
Chairman of the Water Producers, Henry Eremokhai, had appealed to the Commissioner for the use of testing kit in factories where laboratories were not available.
Eremokhai said, “There is some level is 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.
“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 Chariman added.
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.
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