NAFDAC shuts 16 Rivers water factories

No fewer than 16 sachet water factories in Rivers State have been shut by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

The factories, according to NAFDAC Director, South-South Zone, Chukwuma Oligbu, were shut for sundry reasons, including operating without licence.

Oligbu, in a statement signed by the zonal Public Relations Officer, Cyril Monye, said the operation took place in four local government area of the state.

According to the agency, the affected LGAs are Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, Degema and Ikwerre.

“The operation which was carried out in the four LGAs led to the closure of 16 sachet water factories while their owners were invited to the NAFDAC office,” he said.

Oligbu said the factories were operating under poor hygienic conditions, including the use of dirty filters and handkerchiefs as filters, while some also had expired licences, labelling lapses and wrong factory addresses.

He warned sachet water producers against producing unregistered packaged water and advised operators with expired licences to commence renewal processes or risk sanctions.

The NAFDAC boss further warned against locating factories within filling stations, describing such practice as a violation of NAFDAC regulations.

He stated that the agency would not hesitate to permanently shut down any factory found engaging in such acts.

Oligbu also warned producers against obstructing NAFDAC officials from carrying out their lawful duties, stressing that offenders risk arrest and prosecution.

He added that there would be no hiding place for clandestine production of sachet water as the agency’s enforcement activities cover all parts of the state.

While cautioning unscrupulous producers of regulated products, Oligbu urged members of the public to report illicit production or sale of unregistered NAFDAC-regulated products to the agency.

According to him, such information would enable prompt action from NAFDAC officials and prevent illegal products from circulating.

NAFDAC has in recent years intensified enforcement operations across the country to curb the circulation of unwholesome food, drinks and counterfeit regulated products, especially sachet water produced under unsafe conditions.