Posted by Chinenye on Fri 29th May, 2026 - tori.ng
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC has closed 16 sachet water production facilities across Rivers State after a major enforcement operation uncovered widespread hygiene and licensing violations in multiple local government areas.
(NAFDAC. Photo credit: Punch News)
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down 16 sachet water factories in Rivers State following an enforcement operation conducted across four local government areas Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, Degema, and Ikwerre.
The NAFDAC Director for the South-South Zone, Chukwuma Oligbu, announced this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday and signed by the zone's Public Relations Officer, Cyril Monye.
The factories were found to be operating under various violations, including running without valid licences, unhygienic production conditions, dirty and makeshift filters with some using handkerchiefs as filtering materials expired licences, incorrect factory addresses, and labelling infractions.
Among the facilities shut down were Obra Bo Table Water in Asari-Toru LGA, and a number of factories in Degema LGA including Loilia, Jima, Inye, Obuta, S.P. Nimi, Soaltam, Piasso, and Imumsco Table Water.
In Akuku-Toru LGA, Granpa, Daa Ajuka, and Diob Table Water factories were also closed, while four factories AQUA-TOBSON, DUCO, CHISODEK, and NEO BRAIN Table Water were shut down in Ikwerre LGA. Owners of all affected factories were invited to the NAFDAC office.
Oligbu warned sachet water producers to immediately halt the production of unregistered packaged water and urged those operating on expired licences to begin the renewal process or face legal consequences.
He also cautioned against siting production facilities within petrol stations, describing it as a clear violation of NAFDAC regulations and warning that any factory found doing so risks permanent closure.
The director further stated that obstructing NAFDAC officials in the course of their duties is a criminal offence, and those who engage in such conduct risk arrest and prosecution.
He assured the public that there would be no safe haven for illegal sachet water production, as the agency's reach covers all parts of the state.
Oligbu encouraged members of the public to report any suspicious or illegal production and sale of NAFDAC-regulated products, assuring that such information would trigger prompt action from the agency.
NAFDAC has in recent years stepped up enforcement activities nationwide in its bid to rid the market of unsafe food, drinks, and counterfeit regulated products.