FUOYE begins production of bottled, sachet water

Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has commenced production of bottled and sachet water.

Director of the university’s Directorate of Ventures and Investments, Prof. Matthew Arowolo, told our correspondent in Oye-Ekiti that this was sequel to the launching of the institution’s water factory.

Arowolo said that the development was another laudable achievement of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina.

He said that the water project had been in the pipeline since the administration of the former vice-chancellor of the institution, Prof. Isaac Azuzu.

Arowolo, however, said that the project could not take-off until Fasina came on board about three years ago.

He said the FUOYE water, being produce in sachets and bottles, would be sold in Ekiti and other states of the federation.

The director noted that one of the objectives of the water project was to provide employment opportunities for the indigent students of the institution who might wish to work while studying and other members of the host communities.

He said that the vice-chancellor was determined that the university must have its own designed water in bottles and sachets, just like other universities in the country.

“Sometime last year, during one of the management meetings, I was invited and informed by the vice-chancellor that FUOYE was more than ripe to have a water factory.

“He said even some universities that were established at the same time with FUOYE already have their water factories. He mentioned ABUAD and EKSU and others with such facilities.

“The vice-chancellor said he does not celebrate efforts but results, and gave me a month within which to come up with something concrete on the project.

“I had to consult an investor because our university did not have the money to start the project.

“He (investor) was excited about the idea and said that the vice-chancellor was a friend of the government. We started meeting over the matter and that eventually resulted in the actualisation of the project,” he said.

Arowolo said that the factory had started production after getting the NAFDAC approval, adding that it had machines that produced 2,000 sachets of water within an hour.

“We are working on two categories of bottled water, that is, 50cl and 75 cl.

“We want to sell our water at relatively lower prices than what obtains in other water factories.

“Presently, we have one of our students who has vast experience in the engineering aspect of water production. He is working with us and he has promised to train as many students who are interested in the job as possible.

“We are opening the door of opportunities for our students to leverage this opportunity. And we have received full support of our vice chancellor for the project,” he said.

The director further stated that a powerful generating set had been provided for the factory, adding that the management had also approved power connection to the central generating set,” he said.

He also said that the university ventures had also been engaged in production of bread in Oye-Ekiti and Ikole-Ekiti campuses.

Arowolo thanked the vice-chancellor for the confidence reposed in him to promote and develop the ventures.