In a collaborative effort with the State Ministry of Health and affiliated agencies, the Imo State House of Assembly has declared its intent to seal sachet and bottled water production factories within the state due to concerns over substandard practices.
The announcement came during a meeting with the Executive of the Association of Table Waters Production at the Assembly Complex in Owerri.
Chairman of the House Committee on health, Hon Sam Otuibe, expressed dismay at the substandard practices of table water producers in the state, emphasizing the detrimental impact on the health of citizens. He insisted that such practices would no longer be tolerated in the state.
“This unwholesome practices will no longer be allowed to thrive in the state,” stated Otuibe, adding, “The taste of water being produced in the state is poisoning and killing people.”
Otuibe condemned the alarming taste of water in Imo State, describing it as a cause for kidney and liver infections. He highlighted the presence of iron in many table waters, contributing to health challenges in the state.
“We are alarmed that the taste of water produced in Imo State is nothing to write home about. You cannot be poisoning Imo people in the name of doing business and making money. This is very sad, alarming and should be condemned by all reasonable members of the public,” Otuibe emphasized.
He further announced stringent measures to address the issue, including sealing factories that fail laboratory tests and prosecuting their owners.
“Since some of your water factories are not following laid down regulations, we will seal them to protect Imo citizens. Only very few table waters are safe for Imo citizens to drink, like Eva water, Mangero water, and very few others,” Otuibe declared.
Other committee members also expressed concerns about the use of untreated tap water, exposing water to sunlight, and lacking necessary regulatory approvals. They insisted on thorough investigations and urged strict adherence to hygienic production practices.
Despite pleas from ATWAP to allow time for precautionary measures, the committee rejected the request, emphasizing the paramount need to protect Imo citizens from health risks.
