The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed no fewer than 16 sachet water production facilities across Rivers State following the discovery of widespread safety and regulatory breaches.
The enforcement exercise, which covered Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, Degema and Ikwerre local government areas, exposed what the agency described as “alarming” violations ranging from lack of valid licences to unhygienic production conditions.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday, the South-South Zonal Director of NAFDAC, Chukwuma Oligbu, said several of the affected factories were operating illegally and endangering public health.
He listed the infractions to include the use of dirty and makeshift filtration systems—some involving handkerchiefs—expired licences, incorrect factory addresses and widespread labelling violations.
Among the sealed facilities were Obra Bo Table Water in Asari-Toru and multiple plants in Degema, including Loilia, Jima, Inye, Obuta, S.P. Nimi, Soaltam, Piasso and Imumsco Table Water.
Others affected include Granpa, Daa Ajuka and Diob Table Water in Akuku-Toru, as well as AQUA-TOBSON, DUCO, CHISODEK and NEO BRAIN Table Water in Ikwerre.
Oligbu said the owners of the affected factories had been summoned to the agency’s office for further regulatory actions.
He warned operators of sachet water businesses to desist from producing unregistered products, stressing that those with expired licences must immediately commence renewal processes or face sanctions.
The director also cautioned against locating production facilities within petrol stations, describing the practice as a violation of NAFDAC regulations that could attract outright closure.
He added that any attempt to obstruct NAFDAC officials in the course of duty would be treated as a criminal offence punishable under the law.
“There will be no hiding place for illegal producers,” Oligbu said, assuring residents that the agency would sustain surveillance and enforcement operations across the state.
He urged members of the public to report suspicious production and sale of regulated products, noting that prompt action would be taken on credible information.
NAFDAC has intensified its nationwide clampdown on substandard and unsafe food and beverage products in recent years as part of efforts to safeguard public health.
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