….Begins Self Regulatory Training Soon
By Chris Udochukwu
The enlightenment campaign was flagged off in Abuja, the nation’s capital at the weekend by the National President of the body, Dame Clementine Chinwe Ativie during her meeting with the executives of the North Central Zone comprising of Benue, Plateu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger States and the FCT.
ATWAP President who stressed that water producers had in no small measure contributed to the containment of water borne diseases by adhering to good manufacturing practice, (GMP) assured members of the public that they (producers) would continue to strive to keep to standards.
Mrs Ativie however informed the participants that the sensitization efforts on self regulation were in line with the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control’s, ( NAFDAC’s) call for improved GMP in water production facilities adding that the demand became necessary in view of the recent cholera out break in some states of the Federation.
She also charged the executive members of each state, to prepare for the upcoming training being packaged by ATWAP which time table according to her, would be rolled out very soon, noting also that, the executive members of the association were specifically invited for the important meeting so they could carry on the good message to water producers in their various states.
The self regulatory programme of the association will entail a detailed training of factory owners and their production managers on global best practices.
The trainings, Mrs Ativie added would be mandatory for all factories and shall be conducted twice yearly in all the 36 states of the federation and FCT.
The President who also briefed the state executives on the waste management efforts emphasized that the initiative was aimed at converting production waste to wealth creation.
Mrs Ativie however directed all the state chairmen and their executives to be vigilant and report any unregistered products to NAFDAC, adding that ATWAP would continue to collaborate with regulatory agencies to root out quacks in the industry.
The sensitization programme of the association according to the president was scheduled for all the six geo political zones of the country with the North Central as the starting point.
The Southwest will be next, followed by the North East, North West, South South and South East respectively.
The ATWAP president however enjoined members in the regions to always endeavour to report those not conforming to good manufacturing practice (GMP) to relivant authorities for prompt actions.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Chairman of the association Mr. Terna Gile, in his response thanked the National President, Dame Clementine Ativie for her efforts towards repositioning the association for the common good of all Nigerians.
He also eulogized the cordial working relationships that exist between producers and regulatory agencies which he attributed to the visionary and quality leadership of the president.
Mr Gile, however assured the President of the co-operation of all members from Benue in particular, and the North Central in general.
He also thanked the FCT Chapter, and the Chairman Alhaji Akwuh Okpanachi Muhammad for the hospitality accorded participants.
