FREEPRESS – Following the recent increase in the price of sachet water otherwise known as “Pure Water” in Edo State, and the subsequent outcry by members of the public, the Chairman Edo State Association of Water Producers and Director of Adima Table/Sachet water, Henry Eremiokhai has blamed the hike on the increase in the cost of production, multiple taxation and other factors.
He said “you will agree with me it is not only pure water that has witnessed an increase in its selling price, from sweets, matches, biscuits, to bread, toothpaste, rice and so on. The slight increase is a reaction to the prevailing economic situation in the rise of price of raw materials and the cost of production.”
He explained that the increase which saw “pure water” now selling for between N20 to N30 was also necessitated by the epileptic power supply in the State. “I run my water facility for at least 9 hours on generator which is an added cost,” he asserts.
On the activities of quacks and the recent discovery of sharp and unwholesome practices that characterize the table/sachet water industry in the State by the Commissioner of Energy and Water Resources Barr. Washington Osifo. Eremiokhai admitted that some water companies out of greed and negligence package and sell unwholesome sachet/table water to unsuspecting members of the public.
While enumerating the characteristics of good water he noted “good water must be tasteless, odourless and colourless and must abide by the WHO minimum acceptable standard of PH level for drinkable water which is ranges from 6.5-8.5”.
He therefore remarked that the Association is in collaboration with relevant government agencies such as NAFDAC, SON and the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources will continue to work relentlessly to stamp out quacks and entrench good manufacturing practice (GMP) in the water producing industry.
He however debunked allegations of witch hunting by some aggrieved stakeholders, whose facilities were closed down by the government, stating that such allegations are “mere fallacies in the imagination of those who operate facilities below acceptable standards. People must get value for their money and have confidence in the water they consume”.
Eremiokhai therefore cautioned members of the public to be vigilant and careful of the sachet/table water they consume because health is wealth.
