Delta Govt Assures Table Water Producers of Intervention in SON Dispute

The Delta State Government has moved to address complaints by table water producers over alleged harassment, extortion and excessive regulatory demands by officials of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in the state.

The Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Ejiro Etagherure, gave the assurance on Thursday when he received members of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP), Delta State chapter, who staged a peaceful protest at the Government House in Asaba.

The protesters appealed to the state government to intervene over what they described as undue pressure from SON officials, including alleged threats to shut down their businesses.

Speaking on behalf of the state government, Etagherure assured the producers that their complaints would be reviewed and that the government would seek an amicable resolution.

“We all know the importance of water to human beings, and I can also assure us here that our governor is a governor that will not accept oppression because he is a governor for all, and we can all attest to that,” he said.

The commissioner said the documents and information submitted by the association would be examined by the government.

“Your prayers have been heard. Whatever information you’ve got in there, we will be looked into. On behalf of the governor and the state government, we assure you we’ll come into this issue and it will be resolved amicably”, he said.

Etagherure also commended the producers for conducting the protest peacefully.

“I also want to thank you for your peaceful demonstration,” he said.

Earlier, ATWAP Chairman in Delta, Mr. Mark Evans, appealed for government intervention, saying more than 200 table water producers operate in the state and provide employment for between 10,000 and 11,000 workers.

Evans said the producers were already subject to regulation by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which inspects their facilities and conducts periodic checks.

He alleged that SON officials had recently issued various demand notices to producers and compelled some to make payments under duress.

“We have relevant receipts and documents. She gives you an account number; you transfer to a personal account because of the fear of not closing down your factory,” he alleged.

Evans also alleged that producers were told Delta had been selected as a “pilot state” for enforcement of certain requirements, but said repeated requests for documentary evidence supporting the claim had not produced any result.

The state government is expected to review the complaints and engage the relevant parties toward resolving the dispute.