LASCOPA inspects CWAY facility over viral video, consumer complaints

By Adebola Muili

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) on Thursday conducted an unscheduled inspection of CWAY’s water production facility in Lagos following complaints and a viral social media video that raised concerns over the handling and condition of some of the company’s bottled water products.

The inspection followed a meeting between LASCOPA and CWAY officials over the concerns, which gained attention after social media content creator and activist Scott Iguma circulated videos questioning the condition and handling of some CWAY refill-water bottles and called for regulatory investigation.

The claims circulated on social media included allegations concerning the cleanliness and storage of some bottles, while CWAY subsequently maintained that it remained committed to producing safe and quality drinking water in compliance with applicable standards. The company also explained that bottles could develop external marks during storage, transportation or handling and that bottles considered defective were retrieved and destroyed.

Against the backdrop of the complaints, LASCOPA undertook the inspection in line with its mandate to protect consumers and assess CWAY’s production, packaging, transportation, storage and distribution processes.

During the exercise, LASCOPA officials toured the facility and observed key stages of production, including bottle filling, capping, labelling and preparation of products for distribution.

The officials also observed some plastic packaging materials considered unsuitable for use which had been set aside for disposal.

CWAY explained that the discarded bottles are processed through a grinding machine and sold to plastic industries as raw materials, with records indicating that an average of about 1,000 bottles are discarded daily.

Following its observations, LASCOPA advised CWAY to ensure that all packaging materials are properly cleaned, maintained and fit for use.

The Director, Scientific Investigation, Research and Development, LASCOPA, Mr Suluka Raheem, recommended the provision of suitable handles on the bottles to minimise slippage and improve safe handling.

Raheem further advised the company to establish an appropriate shelf-life period for its bottles, after which they should be withdrawn from circulation, whether damaged or not.

He also recommended stronger capacity-building and sensitisation for distributors on proper handling and storage of the products, particularly the need to prevent exposure to direct sunlight during transportation.

Representing the General Manager/CEO of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, the Agency’s Board Secretary/Head, Legal, Mrs Arinola Momoh-Ayokanmbi, urged CWAY to adopt internationally recognised standards for the transportation, distribution and storage of its products.

Momoh-Ayokanmbi also called on the management to address the observations made during the inspection and implement the recommendations arising from the exercise.

LASCOPA reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the health, safety and interests of consumers while promoting confidence in products available across Lagos State.

The inspection was attended by officials and management representatives of LASCOPA and CWAY.