By Miriam Humbe
In its efforts to upgrade the framework for Nigeria’s Weight and Measures Act for an improved Service delivery, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has moved to transit Weights and Measures Department to an Agency of Government.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo said it was to realize the objectives of the metrology component of the Nigeria National Quality Policy (NNQP).
The Minister said this when he received the final report of the Committee on the review of the Weights and Measures Act, Regulations and Table of fees in Abuja on Friday.
Otunba Adebayo said: “The Committee was inaugurated to upgrade the framework for Nigeria’s Weight and Measures Act for an improved Service delivery and initiate the process of realizing objectives of the metrology component of the Nigeria National Quality Policy (NNQP).
“Amongst the activities earmarked in the programme for execution is the establishment of the necessary legal framework for proper functioning of the Agency. Today we are privileged to witness the successful completion of the fundamental steps that is geared towards the creation of a befitting legal framework.
“Paragraph 4 of the implementation plan of the Nigeria National Quality Policy (NNQP) document, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2021, provides a basis to upgrade the Weight and Measures Department to a full-fledged Legal Metrology Agency.”
The Minister commended the Committee for coming up with provisions that would promote measurement, boost consumer confidence and facilitate trade practices to make Nigeria the destination of choice for trading to the international communities.
The Director Weights and Measures Department in the Ministry, Mrs. Comfort Lenkat Emenbu said that Weights and Measures had received prime recognition globally because of the significant roles it played in the social, economic and technological development of nations.
Emenbu said: “It is on this note that Government of Nigeria acknowledges the huge position and relevance of Legal Metrology to the economy of Nigeria which led to the creation of several committees over the years that had been achieving consensus on Weights and Measures Administration in Nigeria”.
The Director noted that the Federal Government approved the policy because of their conviction that its successful implementation would kick-start the transformation of Nigeria’s economy as opined by experts.
She said the policy was expected to create a fair and enabling environment for commercial transaction, curb sharp practices in the market place, promote business competitiveness and consumer protection activities.
She said: “The Nigeria National Quality Policy (NNQP) recognized on Chapter 11, subsection 2.4.2.6 clearly stated that there shall be a body established to be known as the Nigerian Weight and Measures Regulatory Agency, (NWMRA).
“It is then necessary that Legal Metrology Infrastructure be established and sustained in Nigeria through promulgation of policies and enabling laws that will confer the stature of an agency of government to Weight and Measures”.
Chairman of the Committee Mr Gegele Olatunji while presenting the final report, thanked the Minister for giving members of the Committee the opportunity to do justice to the process by reviewing the structure, existing framework of the Ministry and the existing Literature to achieve the result.
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