CALDWELL, Monrovia– The National Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Commission (NWASHC) has ordered Bravo Water Material Factory to resume three months temporary production to the general public after a closure lasting one month and twenty-six days due to contaminated water that was deemed unsafe for human consumption.
By Jaheim [email protected]
In accordance with best hygiene and sanitation practices, the WASH Commission had previously instructed the company to halt operations to clean up the waste and standardize production for public safety.
Following the Commission’s recommendations for the reopening of the Bravo Water Factory, which is operated by Liberia Bottling Juice and Water Corporation (LBJWC), all contaminated products were retrieved from the market on January 29 and disposed of.
The recommendations also included immediate actions on licensing, pest control, and testing protocols, strict adherence to the cleaning schedule and maintenance procedures, and enhanced monitoring during the probationary period from February to April, with rotational WASH staff ensuring ongoing compliance.
“We issued a stop order on December 3 to the company, and after working with them for some time, they have made improvements. Our primary goal today is to establish a temporary period for them, after which we will consider allowing full-scale production. Therefore, I am ordering that the premises of this factory be reopened,” stated George W. K. Yarngo, Chief Executive Officer of the NWASHC.
The company has become one of the most trusted water producers in Liberia over the years, successfully retrieving over 29,000 sachets of water that were condemned for destruction.
Yarngo emphasized, “During this temporary period of lifting the closure, they will be expected to meet the standards outlined in our reports. Our actions are not intended to drive the private sector out of business; instead, they aim to safeguard it by promoting a more efficient and effective service with quality.”
Yarngo acknowledged that these positive outcomes could not have been achieved without the collaboration of the Ministry of Health (MOH), the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), the Liberia Standard Laboratory (LSL), and the Ministry of Commerce, all of which played a crucial role in reaching the desired results.
He explained that the Commission lacks its own laboratory, leading them to rely on these institutions for results rather than making independent decisions. “We cannot produce independent results, so we depend on these institutions to provide us with the information necessary for the decisions we make,” he said.
Commenting on the situation, Giorgio Steven Haddad, CEO and Owner of Bravo Water, apologized to the public for the contaminated water. He acknowledged that while the water contained particles, testing revealed that it was not harmful for human consumption.
Haddad stated, “I apologize for the water that contained particles, but I assure the people that even though it did not look good, tests confirmed that it was not harmful. The particles were merely materials that were unsightly but posed no risk to health.”
He added, “During this challenging period, we conducted tests with WASH, the Standard Laboratory, and NPHIL, and everything was found to be safe. It turned out that the particles came from our machines. We know that this water is not harmful and contains no bacteria.”
Haddad expressed appreciation for the efforts of the WASH Commission in facilitating their cooperation to ensure that short-term recommendations are met while they work towards achieving long-term goals.
