By Dele Ogbodo
The Federal Government has commenced a nationwide inspection and monitoring of businesses across the 36 states of the federation to ensure compliance to established clear standards and regulations for pricing, weights and measurements.
This exercise started today with unannounced audits of some public and private business premises in Abuja.
Speaking to newsmen during the exercise in the FCT, Permanent secretary Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and investment Amb. Nura Rimi, said this is the beginning of a nationwide activity.
Rimi, said: “The activity is part of the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration in ensuring economic stability in the area of market confidence, and consumer protection, especially fair transactions, to ensure consumers receive the correct quantity and quality of goods they pay for, therefore preventing fraud and exploitation.
“We carry out monitoring of instruments to ensure a fair and transparent market, and to ascertain how businesses comply with national laws and regulations.
“Those that do not comply with the provisions of the non-automatic weighing instruments regulations 2016 or the measuring instruments regulations 2016 are prevented from being placed on the market or put into use.”
According to him, enforcing accurate pricing, weights, and measurements of goods and services brings several benefits to both citizens and the country.
For the generality of Nigerians
this process ensures that consumers get what they pay for, preventing fraud and unfair practices, he said.
“These builds trust in the market especially fair pricing: Accurate measurements mean fair pricing, which helps consumers make informed purchasing decisions. It also helps in the efforts of government to promote Health and Safety, noting, proper measurements in food and pharmaceuticals ensure that consumers receive the correct dosage and quantity, which is crucial for health and safety.
The Director, Press and Public Relations at the Ministry, Mr. Adebayo Thomas, quoted the Permanent secretary as noting that the effort will encourage investment and economic growth, because businesses are more likely to thrive in a regulated environment.
In addition, this will lead to Increased Revenue for the country, he stressed.
The Permanent Secretary who spoke through , Director of Reforms Coordination and SERVICOM, Alhaji Mohammed Nasiru stated that there will be Penalties for non-compliance with regulations on pricing, weights, and measurements.
He emphasised that these penalties are designed to ensure that businesses adhere to fair practices, protecting consumers and maintaining market integrity through, Fines: Businesses may be required to pay significant fines for each instance of non-compliance.
Seizure of Goods: Authorities may confiscate goods that do not meet the required standards.
Business Closure: In severe cases, businesses may face temporary or permanent closure.
Legal Action: Persistent offenders could face legal action, including lawsuits and criminal charges.
Reputation Damage: Non-compliance can harm a business’s reputation, leading to loss of customer trust and revenue.
The monitoring team consists of different government agencies under Inter-Agency Cooperation with the department of weights and measures of the federal ministry of industry trade and investment.
According to the spokesperson of the Ministry, this is an annual exercise to protect consumers from unethical corporate activities.
The Team led by Mohammed Nasiru Abbas, Director of Reforms Coordination and SERVICOM, inspected Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) in Lugbe and Sahad Stores in the Central Business district, Abuja. Abbas granted the NNPCL station a pass rating for compliance, while Olajide Bamidele, Director of Weights and Measures at the Ministry, expressed satisfaction with the NNPC pump and found no breaches.
The Team noted that “all the places visited today, recorded about 95 percent compliant, except for one at ShopRite along Lugbe road.
“One of the scales was not good and the task force decided to seal the use at the Pastry section. It is expected that when the machine has been calibrated or when its ready for calibration, the team will go back and unseal the equipment.
The exercise is expected to be carried out in all 36 states of the Federation.
Bamidele also announced disciplinary actions against infractions, with fines for non-compliance and sanctions for businesses not adhering to regulations.
