By Bashir Turawa
Purchasing UNIBEN sachet water (popularly known as ‘pure water’) in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto may be very risky as the so-called water has no reliable source, THE NEWS DIGEST gathered.
Findings by this reporter reveals that the thriving UNIBEN ‘pure water’ in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto which carries the name and address of the University of Benin, Edo state is fraudulent and has no fountainhead.
THE NEWS DIGEST observed that the bogus sachet water flourishes more than any other in the school. Even, students prefer the sourceless water to any other campus-made sachet water in the school.
‘UNIBEN TABLE WATER’ as boldly written on the nylon of the sachet water is confirmed unauthorised and fraudulent by the management of the University of Benin, Edo state.
When contacted, the spokesperson of University of Benin, Mr M.O. Osasuyi said: “UNIBEN Table Water is controlled by the school management. It does not have any branch outside Edo state. If there’s an agent, I’m sure the person will discuss with the school authority but for now, I’m not aware of anyone.”
The Dean of Students’ Affairs, University of Benin, Prof Osadolor also affirmed the statement of Mr Osasuyi. He expressed his surprise about the fraudful ‘UNIBEN’ water that found its way in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS). He stressed that the UNIBEN Table Water does not have any branch elsewhere, apart from Edo state.
“We do not authorise anybody at all and we do not have a branch elsewhere,” he said affirmatively.
Further investigation revealed that, the nylon of the phony sachet water is supplied by a man from Lagos. When this reporter contacted a phone number with the name ‘Xaris LTD’ written on the nylon of the UNIBEN sachet water, a man who simply identified himself as Akin claimed to have been the producer of the nylon. “I’m not the one supplying the water, it’s the nylon I produce. I supply the nylon from Lagos,” he said.
When asked if he also produces nylon for the University of Benin, he explained, saying: “I used to supply nylon to UNIBEN. But for now, I’m not supplying them. I’ve produced for them before, but for now, I’m not producing for them again.”
THE NEWS DIGEST visited one of the wholesalers of the UNIBEN water at the hostel mini-market of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Al-Kasim stores. The salesman of the shop, who sought anonymity with this reporter revealed that, the ‘pure water’ is originally produced in Sokoto, while the UNIBEN nylon is produced and supplied by a man from Lagos.
“What happened was that, the owner of Garka pure water ran out of nylon, so he began to use that of UNIBEN,” he said.
When this reporter requested for the original phone number of the producer of the water in Sokoto, the salesman declined, stating that he had been instructed not to give out his contact number to anybody.
Further findings revealed that the said Garka Water used to flourish in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto before it went into extinction, which afterwards the UNIBEN water suddenly surfaced on the campus.
However, all efforts to get the source of the water and the producer yielded no positive results as everyone contacted denied this reporter the information.