In this investigation, ABDULRASHEED HAMMAD exposed how 22 factories in Sokoto state produce contaminated water sachets without registration with NAFDAC.
August 11, 2024 4:37 pmexposed how 22 factories in Sokoto state produce contaminated water sachets without registration with the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control .
Due to the extreme heat in Sokoto, most residents resort to drinking sachet water to quench their thirst, making the “pure water” business lucrative. Sokoto, located in north-west Nigeria, experiences extremely high temperatures typical of a tropical savanna climate. During the dry season , temperatures often exceed 40°C , sometimes reaching 45°C or higher, leading to dehydration and heat exhaustion.
Some factories deceive residents by printing fake NAFDAC numbers on their sachet water, making people believe it is safe. Others do not include any NAFDAC number, while some keep running the factory after their registration expired, violating NAFDAC regulations. Moya Table Water, with NAFDAC number E1-6894L, produced and packaged by Dankano Farms Nigeria Ltd is not registered with NAFDAC. In addition, Likisan Table Water with registration number E1-7340L is also not registered with NAFDAC; Nageno with number C1-8551L and Amare with number E1-4465L are not also registered.
Abubakar Rufai, a scientist and laboratory technician at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital , disclosed that tests on 16 “pure water” samples showed there are bacteria and microorganisms in six samples, posing severe health risks such as diarrhoea, stomach obstruction, constant stooling with blood, liver issues, and potentially leading to death.
Legbo said typhoid fever is a significant concern, characterised by gastritis, fever, and potentially life-threatening intestinal complications that can weaken the heart. He stated that typhoid can make intestines evaporate and when that happens, it is a matter of life and death — that is the chances of death are high. This is what probably led to the death of Bala Manu’s son.
“The borehole in the senior staff quarter and management has high iron content. So, we use a filter to remove it. An unregistered product doesn’t need to undergo any contamination testing because failure to register with NAFDAC is a criminal offence. Even if the product is of high quality, producing it without registration is considered a crime against the state,” he explained.
Faruku Yabo Abubakar, Likisan Pure Water’s managing director, stated the company had registered before, but admitted that it failed to renew it on time, resulting in the company being blacklisted from the portal. He said the company is currently meeting validation requirements from the Federal Inland Revenue Service and is waiting for NAFDAC’s follow-up.
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