BRING THEM TO BOOK
WE are shocked that the authorities have allowed a situation where water sachets are being sold to the public by suspected unlicenced companies.
These companies do not need to be warned and given the usual narrative “that the long arm of the law will deal with them.”
What should happen is that the authorities should just move in swiftly and close down the illegal factories if indeed they do not have the requisite permits.
By delaying to act decisively, the lives of unsuspecting consumers are being put at great risk.
That the country is presently fighting to contain cholera which has killed hundreds of people, with thousands infected gives the authorities no room to drag their feet.
While commending the Lusaka City Council for alerting the public while at the same time warning illegal producers and traders of unlicensed water sachets in the city of stern action, council authorities must go further.
The council’s Assistant Public Relations Manager, Mr Nyambe Bulumba says the council has been overwhelmed and inundated with complaints from residents about the poor quality and safety of the sachet water being sold on the market by unauthorised producers.
Mr Bulumba said the rigorous investigations where instituted to identify and prosecute the sources of such water, which was being distributed without the knowledge and approval of the local authority.
A genuine company that is carrying out its business legally does not need to hide the location of its manufacturing plant – after all, the law demands that the production centre must be certified and approved by the relevant authorities.
But it appears that these companies are definitely operating illegally for according to Mr Bulumba, it had been discovered that some of the contact numbers on the labels of the water sachets were fake, indicating that the sources of such water were dubious and that the companies behind them were operating illegally.
“The council has intensified inspections, to ensure that the public are sold water that meets the public health standards and is fit for human consumption.
We will also collaborate with other councils in cases where companies claim to be producing water outside LCC’s jurisdiction, to verify the origin and compliance of the firm in question regarding its services and goods, to protect people’s health.
“The council reminds all water-producing companies that they are required to be licensed by the council and to pay their dues to the council such as business levies, fire certificates and health permits among others,” he said.
We call on the Lusaka City Council to ask for help from the Zambia Police Service to ensure that these companies are found, closed and prosecuted.
They should not be allowed to endanger the lives of consumers by exposing them to consuming water that has not been certified fit for consumption.
The health risks are just too great to allow them to continue operating.
As Mr Bulumba said, the companies should also ensure that they sell water with labels from accredited institutions like the Zambia Bureau of Standards among others to avoid endangering the lives of the public.
“The local authority warns these unscrupulous individuals and companies engaged in such activities to cease with immediate effect or face the full wrath of the law.
Yes, let the culprits feel the full wrath of the law by ensuring that they are rounded up without delay.