Crisis Rocks Table Water Producers In Rivers …As Splinter Group Emerges

The Rivers State Chapter of Table Water Producers is now facing serious crisis following the emergence of different groups.
Sources informed The Tide that the former state chairman of the Association of Table Water Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP) Mr. Egberi Odiri Maison is now leading a group which goes by the name Water Producers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN).
The Tide also learnt that the emergence of the different factions follows a protest of the former executive of the Association of Table Waters Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP) over the imposition of N60,000 seminar levy on members of the association by the National Executive of ATWAP.
Speaking in an interview with The Tide in his office in Port Harcourt, the former state chairman of ATWAP; Mr Egberi Odiri Macson, said he personally led the protest which led to the division of the association.
He said the National Executive of the Association acted beyond its powers by imposing such a high charge, adding that before now, trainings of members were done without any financial charges.
According to him, the whooping amount involved is beyond the capacity of many members.
“I personally kicked against it, because charges for such training should be made affordable.”
He added that seminars are the only thing that members benefit from an Association.
Macson also raised the issue of Bushkody Machine which he alleged members are being forced to buy at the cost of N60,000 when the landing cost is just N27,000.
He, however said the split in the rank and file of the Association will not affect the quality of table water production in the state as he is on ground.
According to him, the splinter group does not have the interest of people at heart, stressing that Water Producers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN0 is working hard to ensure that fake water producers are taken care of.
The WAPAN chairman also denied knowledge of any fake water factories purportedly shutdown by the National Agency for Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in the state.
Effort to get the reactions of the splinter group however proved abortive.