Weights and Measures: FG commits to curbing shortchanging customers
By Lucy Ogalue
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, through its Weights and Measures Department, has reaffirmed its commitment to curbing the shortchanging of customers in the country.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Amb. Nura Rimi, said this when he led a team of directors and senior officials on the ministry’s annual surveillance exercise on Thursday in Abuja.
The permanent secretary was represented by Mr Mohammed Abbas, Director of Reform, Coordination and Servicom of the ministry.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team visited some selected petrol stations and shops within the city centre.
Among the businesses visited by the team were NNPC Mega Station Zone 1, AA Rano Filling Station, Shoprite Lugbe, and Sahad stores Area 11.
Rimi highlighted the critical role of the exercise in ensuring compliance with standards and protecting consumers.
“This annual surveillance is designed to ensure that consumers get value for their money. We aim to ensure that fuel stations and department stores adhere to safety, standard, and customer protection measures.
“This initiative aligns with the current administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which prioritises consumer welfare and business integrity,” he said.
He commended the NNPC mega station for maintaining high standards.
He urged other fuel stations to emulate their practices, noting that all the pumps were in good working condition and met the expected standards.
Also speaking, the Director of Weights and Measures, Mr Olajide Bamidele, while restating the importance of the exercise, expressed delight at the compliance rate of the facilities visited.
“Honestly, it seems as if we are really coming up in Nigeria. Of all the places we visited today, we recorded about 95 per cent compliance.
“Except the one we saw at Shoprite along Lugbe road, where one of the scales was not good, and we decided to seal the place.
“So when the machine is ready for calibration or when it must have been calibrated, we will go back and unseal it,” Bamidele said.
NAN reports that at the Sahad stores, Area 11, some 50 kg, 10 kg, and 5 kg bags of foodstuff weighed okay, and some even exceeded the required measurements.
The weights and measures director advised business owners to maintain compliance and ensure that customers got value for the money they pay.
He commended the NNPC, and the AA Rano LPG dispensing section for meeting the required standard benchmark.
“We have already confirmed here that the certificate is okay. It will expire this month, and they are already processing another one.
“We checked the scale. I think they need a little calibration, but at least the tolerance is still okay, so they do not have any problem with us, and we confirm compliance with standards.
Bamidele said that although the headquarters conducted the surveillance annually, the ministry’s officers were deployed regularly nationwide to conduct random inspections.
He expressed optimism that the ministry will embark on similar visits nationwide in the coming week.
“These unannounced visits ensure that fuel stations and shops nationwide remain compliant year-round.
“The Weights and Measures department is critical in ensuring that businesses operate transparently and fairly, promoting consumer confidence in the market.
“Anyone found guilty of defrauding consumers is held accountable, just like the scale that was sealed at the Shoprite today,” he said.
He said that surveillance was essential for fairness, accuracy, and standards.
The director urged consumers to report any case of non-compliance to any Weights and Measures department close to them for adequate action. (NAN)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
