By Mohamed Fofanah.
The Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) yesterday revealed a list of 81 sachet water producing companies eligible to operate in the sector after passing the rigorous standard tests at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, EWRC and the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau.
Before this revelation, there had been around 167 companies that were identified to be trading in sachet water across the country, the Director General of EWRC announced at a press conference in Freetown yesterday, although he did not elaborate on those that failed to meet the benchmark for producing water in the country.
Emmanuel Mannah said that for a company to trade in the sector, it needs to officially register with the Government of Sierra Leone and secure certificates of fitness from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation before getting permit from Factory Inspectorate. He said a company can secure a license from the Commission only if it is certified by the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau after passing the test for water quality.
Currently, 26 more companies are said to be undergoing the mandatory tests for certification. This is part of the Commission’s efforts to clean up the market and force producers to produce good water for the safety of the consumers, said Mr. Mannah.
The Commission has threatened to close and institute penalties on companies that have failed to be certified by the Commission, but however insists on producing sub-standard products for consumers, while operating outside the standard requirements. He noted that the list has been published on their website.
During the press conference, the Vice President of the Water Sachet Union, Amin Hudroge assured the Commission that those already certified by the Commission will not compromise the safety of their customers. He said he may declare what he puts in his business, but cannot do same for what he gets from it, in response to the Commission’s effort to regulate the price of sachet water.
A Standards Bureau official, Mohamed Fofanah noted that the efforts were necessary for enhancing sanity in the sector, despite some companies producing sub-standard products and failing the mandatory tests.
