By: Emmanuel Wise Jipoh
Monrovia, Liberia, December 6, 2024—The Liberia Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Commission shut down Bravo Mineral Water Factory, upper Cardwell, Montserrado County, on Wednesday for unsafe production, which threatens consumers’ livelihoods.
Liberia Bottling Juice and Water Corporation in upper East Caldwell produces Bravo Mineral Water.
Barbara Gibson, Inspector-General of (NWASHC) declares Bravo Mineral Water unsafe for drinking, maintaining that the shutdown results from constant complaints from consumers that the water poses threats to human health.
“This is not the first time; this is not the second time, this is the third that people have complained about Bravo being unsafe and the water has too many bacteria in it, so we have come to shut down and investigate the cause,” Madam Gibson explains.
According to her, complaints range from an unhygienic production environment to bacteria infiltration in the water that could cause diarrhea, which were key factors leading to the water company’s closure.
She indicates that the factory will be indefinitely closed until a proper investigation is conducted to ensure that management meets all safety measures and compliance.
“Our action is to ensure that we protect the lives of our citizens and that Bravo complies with every health and hygienic protocol.
She adds that beginning today, we will retrieve all Bravo water from the market; our inspectors will be out there to protect the lives of our people.
Madam Gibson reiterates that the Commission’s action would deter other mineral water companies from producing unsafe water for the public.
She frowns on companies producing unsafe water for the public, something she decries as disheartening for the country while assuring the Commission’s robust readiness to ensure compliance. Editing by Jonathan Browne
