Ogun State Government to Conduct Compliance Exercises on Water Factories Following Cholera Outbreak
In response to the recent outbreak of cholera in parts of Ogun State, the state government has announced its intention to carry out compliance exercises on all table and sachet water factories across the region. This action aims to ensure the highest standards of environmental and hygienic practices in the production of bottled water.
The outbreak of cholera in October resulted in the unfortunate loss of lives, with over 250 cases reported in areas such as Ijebu North, Abeokuta South, and Abeokuta North Local Government Areas of Ogun State.
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During a stakeholder’s meeting with members of the Table Water and Beverages Producers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, emphasized the need for stringent compliance exercises to rectify environmental and hygienic deficiencies detected in the water production process. These issues were at odds with the previous certifications provided by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Oresanya pointed out that the negligence in adherence to water production standards was a contributing factor to the cholera outbreak, which caused both fatalities and hospitalizations. To prevent future incidents, the government plans to localize the NAFDAC certification throughout the state.
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As part of the compliance exercises, a team will conduct on-the-spot assessments of water production processes at all water-producing factories in the state. The team will request routine microbial analysis results of the products, examine the proximity of production boreholes to septic tanks, assess the operational environment, and demand a medical certificate of fitness for products intended for human consumption.
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The comprehensive exercise will cover both registered and unregistered water factories, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding the health of its residents from preventable waterborne diseases. The government’s focus is on ensuring the highest quality standards in water production, and it emphasizes that this initiative is not intended to be a witch hunt but rather a proactive measure for public health.
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The Chairman of the Table Water and Beverages Producers Association in Ogun State Chapter, Femi Olukoga, has pledged the association’s full support for the compliance exercise, underscoring the importance of maintaining the highest standards in the production of bottled water to ensure the well-being of consumers across Ogun State
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