Poor installation of petroleum measurements by OMCs worry ZMA

THE Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) is concerned with persistent complaints from consumers arising from petroleum and construction sectors, among others regarding unfair practices by suppliers of products.

Complaints received ranged from poor installation of measurement systems at oil marketing companies fuel depots and sale of roofing sheets thinner than what consumers paid for, among others.

In 2023, ZMA received a combined 39 complaints which led to 26 enforcement actions, resulting in some product seizures, cautions and fines.

ZMA Executive Director, Humphrey Nkobeni, observed that as much as the agency noted a drop in the number of complaints in the petroleum sub-sector in 2023, there was still some persistent non-compliances from players. Mr Nkobeni outlined some of what stakeholders should lookout out for from this sector at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday.

This included use of unapproved and unverified measuring instruments, a mismatch of bulk flow meters, pipe network and pumping unit which could cause serious measurement discrepancies.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to appeal to stakeholders to be on the lookout for the following: manual capturing of temperature and density which can lead to manipulation of figures used to calculate volumes delivered and:

“Inconsistencies in the measurement techniques: the use of two or more measurement techniques with varying accuracy limits can adversely affect the consistency of volume determination and lead to disputes,” Mr Nkobeni said.

He also said ZMA continued to provide measurement technical support to the construction sector through calibrations during constructions of key infrastructure such as roads and bridges.

Mr Nkobeni, however, said the agency noted an increase in consumer complaints in practices surrounding the sale of roofing sheets in which buyers alleged to had received roofing sheets which were thinner than what they paid for. “To resolve this matter, the agency organised a seminar for stakeholders in the construction sub-sector. “The agency would like to provide regulatory guidance on the matter of roofing sheets. all roofing sheets on sale on the market must be properly labelled indicating detailed information on dimensions - thickness, length and width,” Mr Nkobeni said.