RSG Harps On Water Quality, Trains Service Providers

 

By Martha Igbiks 

As part of efforts in ensuring safe drinking water consumption and  to sanitize the water industry from quacks, the Rivers State government has again conducted a two day participatory training for Water Service Providers in the State. 

Speaking at the event in Port-Harcourt today with the theme: " Water Quality Management And Regulatory Compliance", Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Prof Kaniye Ebeku stated that the training will equip participants with a good knowledge and understanding of the laws that govern the water sector in Rivers State, which according to him is a prerequisite for them to be licenced as service provider in the State. 

In his words "Rivers State Government places high premium on her citizenry and visitors.Therefore, the abstraction, production and distribution of portable water and even waste water is of great concern to the Wike led administration, hence he has directed me to ensure sanity in the water sector, he added"

Ebeku admitted that the  State government is aware of some illegal operation of water factories  in the State with fake NAFDAC number situated in one room facility, emphasizing that the training will give such persons an opportunity to learn how to upgrade their production inorder to protect public health. 

According to the Commissioner, WHO research findings reveals that water related disease amount to 4.1% estimated cases of global disease burden and cause about 1.8million death annually with 88% which is attributed to unsafe water supply, sanitation and poor personal hygiene. 

The Water Resources and Rural Development boss expressed hope that the knowledge gain from the training/workshop will give birth to a sustainable operations in course of producing portable water in the State and enjoined them to report any factory disobeying the order and lowering their operational standards in the State.

The two day participatory training workshop organised by the Rivers State Water Services Regulatory Commission under the direct supervision of the Commissioner in pursuant to the Rivers State Water Sector development law no. 7, 2012 also had practical sessions where participants were made to test their water themselves.

Responding, the State Chairman, Association of Table Water Producers, (ATWAP)Pst Okey Okafor who spoke on behalf of participants of the training expressed gratitude to the Commissioner  for the training, stressing that every stage of the training was brilliant and an eye opener to all practitioner in the water industry in the State.

Pastor Okafor assured the commissioner that all the knowledge garnered during the training will be replicated in their operations to enhance quality water production and better service delivery.