Mineral water operators discuss standardisation of production

Stakeholders of the Mineral water in Fako Division have pledged to collaborate with one another to produce better and quality water for customers.

Representatives from six companies producing mineral water gathered at the Senior Divisional Office in Limbe following a session with a delegation from the ministry of mines and technological development to discuss ways of standardising operations in the sector.

The meeting which was chaired by the first assistant SDO, for Fako, Nafongo Vincent was also attended by the Divisional Delegate of Mines, Madam Nkono Pauline.

The mission according to Mr. Bisso, Chief of service of Water Mineral exploitation was to visit the existing sites in Fako to ensure that they respect the law in force and verify if they are legalized. He used the opportunity to make recommendations and cautioned those who were operating without an authentic licence.

Madam Nkono Pauline gave detailed administrative procedures for obtaining a license for the exploitation of mineral water. She explained that laboratory results should be forwarded to her office on regular basis to keep her up to date with the operations of stakeholders.

Madam Songo Ngumenzong, from the ministry on her part, stressed on the safety of water sources, hygiene, sanitation and maintenance of machines.

The legal experts, Madam Biaka called on the companies to make sure that their source of water appears on the package. He quoted the case of Semme Mineral Water that it has its location inscribed on the bottle, and urged others to do same to guarantee them a legal backing.

After listening to all the technicians, each company was given a chance to share their observations and suggestions.

The Companies included, Semme Mineral Water, Hesco, NAPCO, Volcanic, Source Du Pays and Green Valley.

The Senior Divisional Officer urged the companies to work together so that they can land a contract to supply mineral water during the 2015 and 2019 Female and Male African Cup of Nations respectively.

Recommendations To better serve the people, the companies decided to hold regular meetings on a quarterly basis and operate a network amongst themselves.

They also agreed not to work as competitors but rather as collaborators because the market is too vast for any one company to satisfy entirely.

Another resolution arrived at was the fight against clandestine and recalcitrant operators. Such persons would be reported to the administration for actions to be taken against them.

Finally, they recommended that they will work hand in hand with the media to publish their activities and meetings on a regular basis.

Reaction Speaking to THE SUN at the end of the meeting, Maboa Beme Charles, Factory Director of Semme Mineral Water, lauded the Ministry for sending a delegation to supervise the sector.

He said his company is bent on providing quality water to its clients since they supply of water in the whole of the CEMAC and not Cameroon alone. Maboa Bebe Charles said the resolutions taken at the meeting will surely be implemented strictly for the betterment of the sector. The same view was shared by Mr. Nana Mustapha of Napco and Mih Johnes of Hesco