By Chioma Ndife and Precious Ukeje
Amid the pressing economy occasioned by the unforeseen coronavirus pandemic, Zenif Nigeria Limited, an indigenous manufacturing company in Anambra, has begun production of Zenee table water.
The ultramodern factory of Zenif was commissioned Wednesday, June 17, by the Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Uchenna Okafor, in a light gathering of well-wishers of Honourable Romanus Ugochukwu Obi, immediate former member, Orumba North State Constituency, Anambra State House of Assembly and CEO, Zenif Nigeria Limited.
Speaking to Fides, Obi said the facility was a unique ultramodern water plant which production goes through process of carbonisation, reverse osmosis and ozonism.
He described water as essential commodity required for human existence, noting that so many illnesses people complained of, such as typhoid, were related to consumption of badly treated water.
Describing their source of water as very clean, the former lawmaker said its treatment passed through several processes which killed all germs in the water and leaving it pure. He added that while processing about four gallons of water, one is left with only one gallon that is very pure and hygienic for drinking, while others pass during the purification process.
Obi said that the process was mechanized in a way that there was little or no hand contact with the water until the water was sealed in dispensers, bottle or sachet.
While noting that the company had created employment for at least, eighteen persons prior to its commissioning, he said that one needed to drink clean water in order to live long and that was the motivation behind establishing such facility which he added that the National Food and Drugs Administration Control, NAFDAC, rated the best around the state after inspection.
Speaking during the commissioning, the Speaker Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna, appreciated the Hon. Obi for floating the water company which he said would provide potable water to Ndi Anambra and prayed that the facility would be replicated in other places in the state.
He noted that Hon. Obi had championed the Aku lue uno mantra of the Governor Willie Obiano.
Uchenna Okafor in a chat with press men, thanked God for making it possible for such establishment by a former lawmaker. He described it as a great investment, and added that the process provided Ndi Anambra with a healthy water for consumption.
While adding that it provided employment for the teaming youths of Anambra, he called on Ndi Anambra in diaspora to make home-based investments.
Speaking on the favourable nature of Anambra business environment, he said security and power were in place which he described as pillars of investment attraction.
Speaking at the opening of Zenee Water, The Anambra State Chairman, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Chief Okeke Ogene, described the Zenif’s Chief Executive Officer focused, well calculated and known for polished delivery. He added that the former lawmaker did his best when he represented Orumba North and added that he had maintained a good relationship with stakeholders even as a private citizen after representation.
Also Speaking, The member representing Orumba North, Hon. Emeka Aforka appreciated the Speaker for commissioning the project, and thanked his predecessor for the advice he gave him on how to carry about the legislative process as a representative. He beseeched God to bless the investment and added that its prospect would be high.
He called on people of Orumba North and all Anambrarians to patronize Zenee Water, noting that from the facilities available in the plant, was the best of water in town.
Mr Okey Enekwe, an Oil business Mogul, said water was indispensable to life and that water business would always thrive. He noted that availability of raw materials was a determinant for siting businesses, saying that the location of the Zenee manufacturing plant at Nibo was well calculated business decision as the area was known for availing potable water from antiquity.
An APGA chieftain and a home-based business mogul, Chief Titus Anagbogu, who described Romanus Obi as honourable, said he was leading by example owing to the fact that he had represented Orumba North effectively and now institutionalised himself by employing people and taking them off the streets.He appreciated Obi and encouraged other politicians to learn from him.
The business mogul also lauded the Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for provision of power and creation of enabling environment for business.
Describing the factory as a state of the art, he said Zenee water would force other water companies to improve their standard in order to remain relevant in the water business.
Speaking on his assessment, Dr Joe Akabuike, former Commissioner for Health, Anambra State, said Zenee water was very potable as it passed through proper processes, adding that the problem of so many water companies was that they were not wary of purification of water before packaging.
Addressing the health benefits of drinking good water, the former commissioner noted that water was life and that sixty-five percent of the body components was water and added that every cell in the body lived by water.
For his part, Honourable Earnest Elochukwu Igboanugo, Special Adviser to Governor on Chieftaincy Matters, said the Governor had always preached the gospel of home-based investments, and added that Romanus Obi had contributed towards it.
Furthermore, he said the state government should reduce tax for infant industry to encourage more to invest.
