ZMA LAUNCHES 2024 MEASURING INSTRUMENT VERIFICATION EXERCISE FOR PETROLEUM SUB-SECTOR

By Daily News Reporter

The Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) has launched the 2024 verification exercise of all measuring instruments used in the petroleum sub-sector in a bid to enhance fair trade, consumer protection and promote compliance.

As part of the verification exercise, ZMA metrologists will inspect and verify measuring instruments used in all private and public fuel depots and filling stations across the country.

The launch, which was held virtually on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, through a meeting Chaired by ZMA Director Legal Metrology Dr.Eng. Michael Kalumbu Nsefu and attended by key stakeholders in the petroleum sub-sector who included Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Service Technician Companies.

In his remarks during the meeting, Dr Eng. Nsefu said 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.

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 enforcement.

Dr Eng. 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 are getting value for money.

In another development, ZMA has cautioned players in the petroleum sub-sector against the use of unapproved methods of measurement 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 Bulk Flow meters, Ullage marks, and Dip charts on Tanker trucks.