Weights, Measures dept generate over N500 mn in 2018

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6 years ago

weight and measures

THE Department of Weights and Measures, under the ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has stated that it generated over N500 million in 2018.

Speaking with members of Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association (CICAN ) in Abuja, the Director of Weights and Measures, Mohammed Sidi, lamented that under proper review, the department can generated up to N5 billion per annum.

Sidi explained that Department can drive itself effectively and contribute meaningfully into the country’s economy given the required review and attention by the government.

According to him, “I had an occasion when I gave a projection of what this Department is able to generate per annum and it stood at N5 billion per annum, and I believe and I can confirm and even undertake to provide that amount per annum provided that certain provisions are to be provided for this Department”.

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He explained further that the country and her citizens were losing every day due to unavailability or the inability to have control over the weight and measure of all commodities sold or bought in Nigeria.

“It is unfortunate that government has not given much attention to ensure that people are aware of the need and essence of having a measurable sells. The need to give this citizens the right amount of quantity for every product that they are buying “.

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“Most of us buy things at the discretion of the seller. Anybody selling anything at all should have a way of measuring or counting it, it must be quantifiable”.

Sidi revealed that the National Assembly started the process of upgrading the department to an Agency few years ago but the bill has suffered delay since Senator Fatima Raji was removed as the Chairman of the Committee on Commerce and Industry.

The Bill seeks to establish the National Measurements Agency for the dispensation of goods and articles of trade; to make provisions of its due administration and ensuring of standardization in the measuring of products for consumption in order to ensure fairness in dealing in consumable goods and products and eliminate fraud, under – hand dealings, cheating and other acts that characterize the retailing of goods and products in Nigeria.