General
Weight $ Measures Department Targets N5b Revenue in 2018
By Dipo Olowookere
The Department of Weight and Measures of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has targeted N5 billion revenue generation for 2018.
This was disclosed during the1st Quarterly Meeting of Legal Metrology officers and inspectors of Weights and Measures held on March 22, 2018.
Director of the Department, Engineer Muhammed Sidi Sada, gave this disclosure while delivering his opening remark at the event.
Mr Sada reiterated commitment of the department to work towards the achievement of the desired goals of the Mr Muhammadu Buhari-led administration on diversification which gave rise to this year’s theme of the 1st Quarterly Meeting of the Weights and Measures professionals: ‘Legal Metrology As a Tool for Economic Diversification and Inclusive Industrial Development.’
The Director highlighted the benefits accruing to the Federal Government and citizens of Nigeria from the performance of this important Department of Legal Meteorology which he said of: “Besides contributing to the building of trust for trade in Nigeria, the performance and functions of the Department cannot be overemphasized.”
Mr Sada said the functions of Legal Metrology Officers and Inspectors include: To reduce disputes and transaction costs during the sales of petroleum products, measurement of gas, electricity , water and the billing of telephone bills.
Other functions are providing level-playing field for Commerce by means of meteorological controls, facilitating effective stock control for businesses, for example, the use of dip tapes for measuring equipment and to facilitate the collection of revenue from the testing of weighing and measuring equipment.
“Given the significant roles played by these officers and their contribution to economic recovery and diversification agenda of the Federal Government, there is need for quarterly assembly of this Department to provide a forum to re-assessing, re-strategizing on performance evaluation and working towards improving on revenue generation mandate of the department,“ the Director said.
Mr Sada commended the Permanent Secretary and the Management of Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment for their roles in the restoration of 20% retention of internally generated revenue (IGR) for the development of infrastructure and procurement of standards. He also disclosed that pre-shipment inspectors have been trained on crude oil and gas measurement to enable them resume pre-shipment inspection of crude oil and gas at the export terminals.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, represented by the Director of Human Resources, Mr Dauda Haruna, in his goodwill message to the assembly, assured the department that conducive environment will be provided for Weight and Measures Inspectors to carry out their statutory responsibilities effectively: “Your welfare is paramount to the Management”, he said.
He commended the efforts of the officers who have been working assiduously in the field to generate revenue for the Government despite enormous challenges faced in the course of doing their jobs; he further encouraged them by saying “You may be aware that the issue concerning Weight and Measures Department have been discussed on the floor of the National Assembly. The Legislators are keenly interested in the development of Legal Metrology infrastructure in Nigeria; they are even recommending the upgrade of Weight and Measures Department to an Agency of its own.”
The representative of the Permanent Secretary further said: “It is not only the National Assembly that is committed to the transformation of Weight and Measures; even the World Bank has recently joined the list of International donors or Development partners that are coming up with programmes that are tilted towards the progress of your Department.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.
This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.
“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.
The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.
Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.
By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.
The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
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