ZABS gets fuel testing equipment

THE Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) has received new equipment for the petroleum testing laboratory which will expand its capacity to test all aspects of petroleum products, bureau testing laboratories manager Andrew Chipongo has said.

Mr Chipongo said the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Analyser which is valued at 48, 000 euros (equivalent to K1.2 million) will enable ZABS to offer more comprehensive tests for the petroleum industry.

He said the new equipment was procured with the help of the Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project (ZATP) at a cost of 48, 000 euros.

This is according to a statement issued by ZABS

Marketing and Communications Manager, Nzali

Chella.

Mr Chipongo said the parameters that ZABS would be able to test using the new equipment were broad with test results being produced within 30 minutes from the 48hours it used take with the old equipment.

“The equipment is quite robust as it can perform a wide range of tests on petroleum products simultaneously. With this equipment, our clients and the general public are assured of safe, effective, and clean petroleum products,” he said.

ZABS houses a petroleum Testing laboratory and has been conducting tests on behalf of regulators, oil marketing companies, and the general public to ensure that the petroleum products meet customer quality requirements as well as Government and industry specifications.

The ZABS Petroleum Laboratory is one of the five laboratories that maintains ISO 17025 accreditation status.

TWENTY-TWO years after their retrenchment at Maamba Collieries Limited, 52 former workers have taken the company to court demanding payment of their pension amounting to over K6 million.

Mr James Chinene and 51 others want the Lusaka High Court to order Maamba Collieries Limited to pay

K6, 182, 620.69 being total pension due.

They are also claiming damages and interest on the money.

In a claim filed on February 11 this year, the 52 stated that they were retrenched in 1998 and at the time, they were below the age of 55 years, therefore not qualified to receive their pension contributions.

They said that upon employment, they joined the Zambia State Insurance Company Pension Scheme which was a compulsory requirement for all employees.

“The plaintiffs’ salaries were every month of the subsistence of their employment deducted an amount by the defendant purportedly going to the pension scheme as their contributions,” they said.

Mr Chinene and others claim that an inquiry with ZSIC Pension Scheme showed that their money was paid to Maamba Collieries Limited.

The plaintiffs said they had not received any response or explanation from the company over the matter.

The 52 allege that Maamba Collieries Limited has refused or neglected to pay them their dues.