THE Federal Government has promised to begin full implementation of the country’s National Quality Policy, which it approved in 2021.
The Director, Department of Weight and Measures (WM) in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Comfort Emenbu, gave the hint at a meeting with stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Friday.
The WM department is the lead Federal Government agency mandated to enforce the accurate use of weighing and measuring equipment for trade in the country.
Emenbu, who was represented by Okechukwu Ejiofor, Head, National Metrology Infrastructure in the department, said the Federal Government remained committed to implementing the policy.
He said: “The WM Act is the legislation that 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,” he said.
Emenbu said the commitment of the government informed the decision to meet with stakeholders and seek their input for the review of the Weight and Measure Act.
He said: “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 challenges caused by the enforcement of technical regulations and policies and agreements like the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement,” he added.