By Kemi Olatunde

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Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Environment, Akin Asaniyan has stressed the need for data base for all table water producers in the state.
This according to him will enable government monitor their activities, so as, not to have negative impact on the environment.
He spoke during a meeting with the executives of Table Water Associations in Akure yesterday.
He said that it was important to know members and their location saying “we want to go to them through the associations. This will help us in whatever we want to do.”
Describing water as life, he said that the data will enable government know the competent ones to work with especially in the area of collaboration.
Speaking further, he said the associations should embrace proper polymer’s(plastic and nylon) waste management noting that the environment suffers the package of the water. He added that most people burn the waste which according to him is detrimental to the environment including the soil.
While calling for intervention in this regards, he stated that the sector should be assisted as members should not struggle to evacuate their waste and advised members to embrace turning waste to wealth.
Speaking further, he explained that it was also important that they put in place an Environmental Management Plan(EMP) for sachet and table water producer companies noting that there has been proliferation in the state.
According to him, EMP will help them carry out their activities effectively without immediate or future harm to the public
He said government is doing the needful to protect members of the associations and also preserve more lives in the state noting that a lot of lives have been lost taking unhealthy sachet and table water.
While stating that it was necessary to control the impact of digging boreholes in the immediate environment, Asaniyan explained that it was important to ensure that there is no pollution of water.
He stressed that aquatic pollution do not take place immediately saying “we want to guide against it so that in the future, people can copy the state in this regard.”
Responding, acting chairman, Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) Akure zone, Engr. Olugbenga Bolawole assured government of members’ support adding that the data base of members will be made available within the next two weeks.