In recognition of World Metrology Day, commemorated annually on May 20, a delegation of senior officials from the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau, National Consumer Protection Commission, and the Ministry of Trade and Industry conducted field visits to business establishments in Freetown and its environs.
The day commemorates the momentous signing of the Meteor Convention in 1875, a pivotal event that laid the foundation for global collaboration in measurement science and standardization.
Led by Frank Martin, Manager of the Metrology Department at the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau, the team's week-long inspections aimed to verify the accuracy of weights and measurements of various commodities, including cement bags, iron rods, flour, sugar, and rice, sold in the market. The objective of this exercise was to safeguard the interests of both consumers and manufacturers by ensuring transparency, fairness, and adherence to international standards and conformity.
Specific areas of focus included the length and diameter specifications of iron rods, with particular attention to sizes such as 8, 12, and 16 millimeters. Additionally, the team scrutinized the weight and quality of 50-kilogram bags of essential goods like cement, sugar, flour, and rice to uphold precision and consistency in trade practices.
Accompanied by Larry Bassie, Head of the National Consumer Protection Commission, the team commenced their assessments at key establishments such as Fawaz Building Materials Store at Ferry Junction, Alhand Building Materials Enterprise at Kissy, and Gitex Food and Building Materials Company on Ross Road in Freetown. During these visits, several discrepancies related to product quality, weight accuracy, and adherence to measurement standards were identified.
In line with this year's World Metrology Day theme, "We Measure Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow," Sierra Leonean officials emphasized the critical role of accurate measurement practices in fostering a sustainable and equitable future for all.
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