Editor
The Federal Government has sealed weighing scales in Shoprite due to malpractices in sales during a nationwide Inspection and Monitoring of businesses across the 36 states of the federation to ensure compliance with established standards and regulations for pricing, weights, and measurements.
The exercise commenced on Friday with unannounced audits of various public and private business premises in Abuja.
Addressing the press during the exercise in the FCT, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, emphasized that this marks the initiation of a nationwide endeavor.
He highlighted that this activity is part of the administration’s renewed agenda under President Bola Tinubu to ensure economic stability, market confidence, and consumer protection, particularly in Fair Transactions. This aims to guarantee that consumers receive the accurate quantity and quality of goods they purchase, thereby preventing deceit and exploitation.
The monitoring of instruments is conducted to promote a fair and transparent market, ensuring compliance with national laws and regulations. Businesses failing to adhere to the Non-automatic Weighing Instruments Regulations 2016 or the Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016 are prohibited from being available in the market or put to use.
Enforcing precise pricing, weights, and measurements of goods and services yields numerous benefits for citizens and the country at large.
This process guarantees that consumers obtain what they pay for, preventing fraudulent and unjust practices. It fosters trust in the market, particularly in Fair Pricing: Accurate measurements lead to fair pricing, enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
Furthermore, it aids the government’s efforts to promote Health and Safety, as accurate measurements in food and pharmaceuticals ensure consumers receive the correct dosage and quantity, crucial for health and safety.
The Permanent Secretary also emphasized that this initiative will stimulate investment and economic growth, as businesses thrive in a regulated environment. Additionally, this will result in increased revenue for the country.
The Permanent Secretary, conveyed through the Director of Reforms Coordination and SERVICOM, Alhaji Mohammed Nasiru, mentioned that penalties will be imposed for non-compliance with regulations on pricing, weights, and measurements.
These penalties are designed to ensure businesses adhere to fair practices, safeguarding consumers and preserving market integrity. They include fines, seizure of goods, business closure, legal action, and reputation damage.
The monitoring team comprises various government agencies under Inter-Agency Cooperation with the weights and measures department of the federal ministry of industry trade and investment.
According to the Ministry’s spokesperson, this is an annual exercise aimed at shielding consumers from unethical corporate practices.
The team, led by Mohammed Nasiru Abbas, Director of Reforms Coordination and SERVICOM, conducted inspections at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) in Lugbe and Sahad Stores in the Central Business District, Abuja.
The NNPCL station received a pass rating for compliance, while the Ministry’s Director of Weights and Measures, Olajide Bamidele, expressed satisfaction with the NNPC pump, finding no violations.
The team reported that all locations visited recorded approximately 95 percent compliance, except for one at ShopRite along Lugbe road.
A scale at the Pastry section was found to be faulty, leading to its sealing by the task force. Once the machine is calibrated or ready for calibration, the team will return to unseal the equipment.
The exercise is set to be conducted in all 36 states of the Federation. Bamidele also announced disciplinary measures for infractions, including fines for non-compliance and sanctions for businesses failing to adhere to regulations.
