The Zambia Metrology Agency
has disclosed that it intends to set up the first ever petroleum tanker truck
verification center which will be a specialized facility where petroleum tanker
trucks shall undergo inspections, calibrations, and certification to ensure
they meet specific metrological, safety and regulatory standards.
Speaking at the media briefing ZMA Executive Director
Humphery Nkobeni said this facility shall also facilitate the migration from
ullage mark measurement system to dip stick measurement system on petroleum
tanker trucks.
He explained that accurate dip stick measurements are
crucial for fair trade, thereby preventing disputes among parties who include; suppliers,
buyers, transporters and drivers and protecting parties from financial losses.
Meanwhile Mr Nkobeni has also disclosed that the
agency as of 30 June 2024, undertook a total of 40,533 instrument verification
against a target of 37,738 representing a performance of 107%.
He stated that in the first half of the year, the
agency achieved 75% of the targeted calibrations.
Mr Nkobeni added that the agency conducted 1,634
calibrations out of a target of 2,170 saying that this activity is voluntary at
the moment.
Mr Nkobeni also disclosed that ZMA in collaboration
with the ministry of commerce, trade & industry (MCTI), the ministry of
agriculture (MOA), the Zambia agriculture research institute (ZARI), the seed
control and certification institute (SCCI), the Zambia compulsory standards
agency (ZCSA) and the competition and consumer protection commission (CCPC)
undertook inspections of locally produced and imported farming inputs which
will be used in the 2024/2025 farming season.
He noted that the inspections conducted at
manufacturing plants and importers’ warehouses focused on fertilizer, maize
seed, groundnut seed, and soya beans seeds.
Mr Nkobeni said the overall compliance of the farming
inputs to metrology requirements were 98%, broken down as follows: maize seed
at 99%, groundnut seed at 91%, soya beans seeds at 100%, and fertilizer at 98%
stating that these compliances were above the target of 92% and overall compliance
of 96% in 2023.
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