The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed 16 sachet water production facilities across Rivers State for violating health and safety regulations.
The affected factories are located in Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru, Degema, and Ikwerre local government areas.
Speaking to journalists after an enforcement operation in the affected areas, NAFDAC South-South Zonal Director, Pharmacist Chukwuma Oligbu, said the action was taken against companies found engaging in unhygienic and substandard production practices.
According to him, operators of the affected facilities have been directed to report to the agency’s zonal office in Port Harcourt for further investigation.
Among the factories shut down are Obra Bo Table Water in Abalama, Loilia Table Water in Okpo, Jima Table Water and Inye Table Water in Obuama (Harry’s Town), as well as Obuta, Soaltam, and Picasso Table Water, all located within Degema Local Government Area.
Others include Imumsco Table Water along the Port Harcourt-Degema Road, Grampa Table Water, Daa Ajuka Table Water, and Diob Table Water in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru LGA.
In Ikwerre LGA, NAFDAC also sealed Aqua-Tobson Table Water, Duco Table Water, Chisodek Table Water, and Neo Brain Table Water.
Oligbu explained that the affected factories were cited for several infractions, including poor sanitary conditions, dirty filtration systems, the use of handkerchiefs as filters, expired operational licences, incorrect factory addresses, and labeling irregularities.
He cautioned sachet water producers against manufacturing unregistered products and urged those with expired licences to begin renewal processes immediately or face legal consequences.
The NAFDAC official further warned operators against locating production facilities within filling stations, describing the practice as a clear violation of agency regulations. He stressed that any factory found operating in such locations would be permanently shut down.
Oligbu also reminded manufacturers that obstructing NAFDAC officials in the discharge of their duties is a punishable offence, adding that violators risk arrest and prosecution under the law.