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The Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) has announced the launch of the 2024 verification exercise of all measuring instruments used in the petroleum sub-sector.
The move is in a bid to enhance fair trade, consumer protection and promote compliance, according to Agency Director for Legal Metrology, Michael Nsefu.
Nsefu said this during the launch of the exercise in Lusaka on Wednesday, at a virtual meeting attended by key stakeholders in the petroleum sub-sector which included Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Service Technician Companies
He stated that as part of the verification exercise, ZMA metrologists would inspect and verify measuring instruments used in all private and public fuel depots and filling stations across the country.
“The Agency plays a crucial role in supporting the entire distribution chain of petroleum products through the statutory verification of petroleum pumps and bulk flow meters every six months,” Nsefu emphasized.
He urged all players in retail and commercial petroleum sites to ensure they present their measuring instruments for verification to ZMA this month to avoid regulatory enforcements.
Nsefu further urged the public to check for validity of ZMA verification stickers on fuel pumps at filling stations across the country as part of ensuring that they were getting value for money.
In another development, ZMA has cautioned players in the petroleum sub-sector against the use of unapproved methods of measurement.
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Agency Senior Public Relations Officer, Mweemba Nchimunya stated that this was done during the offloading of petroleum products from Tanker trucks, such as use of weighbridges and dip charts in Storage Tanks.
“The Agency is emphasizing the use of only approved methods which include Bulkflow meters, Ullage marks, and Dip charts on Tanker trucks,” Nchimunya emphasized.
She explained that ZMA was a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry (MCTI), mandated by the Metrology Act No. 6 of 2017 to provide for the designation, keeping and maintenance of national measurement standards.
“ZMA is also mandated to undertake certification and calibration of measuring instruments used in commercial transactions as well as Law enforcement,” Nchimunya said.
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