Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad urged a meeting of stakeholders in the water industry to register with the Food and Drugs Department as the ministry will not compromise on the quality of water delivered to consumers.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Prashad made these comments at a meeting with representatives from the Food and Drug Department, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) at his ministry on Wednesday. He said bottled water sold to the public is “treated water” which should be free from bacteria and can stand scrutiny standards approved by the Department.
Prashad also told the meeting that stakeholders who have not registered with the Department will be given “one week to put themselves in order and they have agreed to this.” Upon registering a business with the Department, an inspection is done and if approved a one-year licence is issued. According to GINA the minister said all water producers must comply with the minimum health standards and the ministry along with the Department and the GNBS will be monitoring the situation. Prashad said a recent inspection at Albion, Berbice revealed that a businessman was producing water under unhygienic conditions and as such he is issuing a stern warning to producers to put themselves in order or face closure.
Additionally, he said persons who produce ice for the fishing industry should not sell this commodity with the “party ice” produced by other companies. Prashad then urged stakeholders to form an association that would help to regulate and set standards in the industry. He also gave assurances that the ministry will be working with GWI to ensure that the water producers meet international standards of testing.
