The Federal Government says it will soon commence the implementation of the country’s National Quality Policy approved in 2021.
Mrs Comfort Emenbu, Director, Department of Weight and Measures (WM) in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, said this at a meeting with stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Reports have it that the organisation is the lead Federal Government’s agency mandated to enforce accurate use of weighing and measuring equipment for trade in the country.
Emenbu, represented by the Head, National Metrology Infrastructure in the agency, Okechukwu Ejiofor, said that the Federal Government was fully committed to the implementation of the policy.
“The WM Act confers power on inspectors of the weight and measure department to ensure that measurements of trade are accurate, fair, transparent, uniform and legal.
“However, current global trends in WM administration necessitate that certain aspects of WM Act are reviewed to accommodate global best practices in legal metrology.
“The adoption of legal metrology will build trust for trade within us and the country’s international business allies,” she said.
Emenbu said that government’s commitment informed the decision to meet with stakeholders and seek their inputs for the review of Act.
“So, this meeting is organised to enable us to rub minds with stakeholders to upgrade our WM services, and guarantee the quality of products and services made or provided in the country.
“Consequently, today’s event is strategically essential because stakeholder consultation is a key requirement in the formulation of technical regulations.
“As managers of businesses, they are abreast with the challenges caused by the enforcement of technical regulations and policies and agreements, like the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement,” Emembu said.
She urged participants to bring the challenges they face in their businesses to the attention of the government to enable policy makers to address them.
One of the participants, Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association in Rivers, Dr Ebbi Robinson, appealed for extensive and continuous consultation with stakeholders by the department.
He further called on the department to pay close attention to financial responsibility of health workers in the new policy.
Also, the Chairman, Petroleum Retailers Outlets Association of Nigeria, Francis Dimbga, expressed concern over alleged multiple taxes imposed on members.
“We also demand that minimum permissible error should be changed from 10.03 – 20.06 to 10.30 – 20.60.
“Aside this, we appeal for an extension of the verification period to be triennial instead of annual,” Dimbga said.
NAN reports that the meeting attracted participants from various sectors, including economic, power, petroleum marketers, telecommunication, oil and gas, utility, manufacturers and retailers.