18th February, 2016
Jeff Ezemadu
The Association of Table Water Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP) has embarked on the closure of illegal water producing factories in Lagos State.
Conducting journalists round some of the seizures made by his taskforce at Ajara area of Badagry, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, the Chapter chairman, Mr. Godwin Oluwafemi Wright said the action followed numerous complaints by members of the public about the influx of substandard water by unregistered water producers.
According to him, “many of the water brands you consume today are not produced by the companies whose names appear on the bodies of the polythene or bottles or the NAFDAC approved numbers. A lot of them are fake. The fake water has caused so many illnesses to innocent consumers which sometimes result in death.”
The association, which was founded in August 2012, has as its primary objective, to have a common forum through which innovation in technology and information from government approved regulatory bodies and international standards relating to water production and packaging will be enforced to safeguard the lives of the consumers.
According to him, in order to achieve this, “we had held several workshops organised by NAFDAC under the supervision of the just retired Director General, Dr. Paul Orhii. The DG implored us at the forum to come up with best ways to stop these evil acts. Today, we are partnering with them and the law enforcement agencies to bring the culprits to book.”
“Although,” he added, “the task is an onerous one, we will not fail.”
Mr. Oluwasegun Abiodun-King, who is the Secretary of the chapter, called on Lagos State government to come to their aid to enforce the law.
They also decried the attitude of some NAFDAC workers who assist the criminals to escape from justice.