In a bid to uphold public health and safety, the Imo State House of Assembly, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health and affiliated agencies, has announced plans to seal sachet and bottled water production factories found guilty of substandard practices.
The revelation came during a meeting chaired by Hon. Sam Otuibe, Chairman of the House Committee on Health, with the Executive of the Association of Table Waters Production (ATWAP) in Imo State.
Expressing grave concerns over the alarming proliferation of unhygienic water products in the state, Hon. Otuibe condemned the substandard practices rampant among table water producers, attributing them to a surge in health-related challenges faced by consumers.
He underscored the committee’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the well-being of Imo citizens, emphasizing that such unwholesome practices would no longer be tolerated.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation,the lawmaker reiterated the committee’s mandate to uphold public safety, particularly in matters concerning public health.
He denounced the prevalence of untreated tap water used in production, citing statistics revealing a surge in kidney-related illnesses among consumers.
Another committee member, Rt. Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri, echoed these sentiments, stressing the imperative of proactive measures to mitigate the health risks posed by substandard water products.
He underscored the committee’s duty to prioritize the safety of Imo citizens and called upon water producers to uphold stringent quality standards in their operations.
Another lawmaker, n his submission , Rt. Hon. Barrister Dominic Ezerioha decried the dire consequences of consuming contaminated water, citing a rise in hospital admissions due to waterborne illnesses.
He admonished water producers for neglecting basic regulatory requirements and urged immediate compliance with safety protocols.
Reacting to the committee’s stern warnings, representatives of ATWAP led by the President and Vice President of the Association, Dr.Lumanze Bismarck and Mrs Joy Uwakwe appealed for leniency and requested time to rectify the deficiencies in their operations.
However, their plea was swiftly rejected by the committee, which emphasized the paramount importance of protecting public health.
