The recent announcement by the Hon. Minister for Environment, Mrs Hadiza Mailafia to the effect that satchet water popularly known as “pure water” may be banned in the first quarter of 2014 has drawn reactions from several quarters across the country and elsewhere.

The idea from all intents and purposes is based on the environmental hazard the discarded polythene satchet poses to the environment. While reacting to the proposed move by the Federal government, a university don, Dr. Steve Wordu of the Sociology Department of the University of Port Harcourt said the proposed policy was wrong.

He said while there was scarcity of water throughout the world it does not mean that water was not available but that it was available in the right quality for human consumption.

Dr. Wordu explained that natural water bodies were polluted including rain, rivers, oceans and swamps among others and that was why it became important for water to be processed.

He said the business of setting up water manufacturing plants was to make water available in the desired quality and quantity required for health and nutrition.

He further explained that it was in this regard that people went into the production and packaging of water either by the use of the polythene satchet or bottles.

From the foregoing it could be said that water has become a commodity that government alone has no control over.

It now becomes a statement of fact that government has not performed creditably in the production and distribution of clean water for the citizens.

For example, in the past, there were public water facilities in Port Harcourt through the public water works which has today become history.

What need to be done is for the government to begin the processes of setting standards and regulating the sinking of bore holes by individuals because it was the inability of government in providing water that prompted individuals to move in and fill the gap by sinking private bore holes.

Infact government has failed in its water management policy and this has created an avenue for investors and enterprenurs to  put their money in water production.

Since people were dependent on this private water business in order to make a living, banning it was counter productive.

It should also be noted that people have spent their hard earned money on importing machinery and equipment so government should rather consider the idea of recycling such waste water satchets.

Also speaking on the proposed ban, the Executive Director, Jerospalm Processing Industries Nig. Ltd, Ahoada, Mr. Ezeilo Livin described such move as “unfair” for the sector.

Mr. Levi who said his company produces satchet water and yorghout among other said the intention of government was “not mature” because there were somethings that the government was supposed to do which it has not.

He said since satchet water was not the only product that constitutes environmental hazard he advised the government to rather go into partnership with private producers with a view to establishing waste management and recycling plants across the country.

He further opined that the government should look at the negative consequences of such an action considering the already bloated labour market.

According to him his company has a staff strength of over 200.

“Push back that into the labour market assuming the government decides to shut down production what do you think will happen?” he queried.

Infact one of the major challenges of government is in the area of giving people employment and it has not done enough in that direction.

Therefore private enterpreneurship should be encouraged through Public Private Partnership Initiative (PPP).

For example the much talked about efforts of the Rivers State government in the establishment of waste management and recycling plants through its waste to wealth programmes would make a lot of sense if pursued vigorously through a well planned PPP initiative.