Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark this year’s world Metrology Day with the
theme: “Metrology in the digital Era”, while addressing Journalists at a Press Briefing to mark the Day which was held recently in Abuja, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo CON, said the World Metrology Day is celebrated on 20th of May, each year and is jointly realized by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (DIM).
He further stated that “I am happy to be part of this important occasion considering the fact this is the first time that Weights and Measures of my Ministry will solely be organizing programme and events to commemorate the Day, adding that, in the fast, the Department used to collaborate with other stakeholders in the metrological community to celebrate the Day”.
According to him, The Weights and Measures Department is a major stakeholder in the international metrological community. “As you are aware, Nigeria is corresponding Member of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) with Headquarters in Paris, France, and the Department has the honour of representing the country in the international body, saying that, “it is therefore, natural for the country to join the rest of the World in celebrating the 2022 World Metrology Day” Adebayo added.
He further stressed that, it is known fact that metrology or the service of measurement has contributed immensely to the economic and social development of the society as well as in the economic and trade spheres, accurate measurement ensures accountability in the quantity of mineral resources produced in the country; ensure s quality goods and products purchased by the consumers are accurate and just, ensures consumers protection and safety in the aviation sector as well as to ensures that the amount of active ingredients in medicine are accurately determined for the safety of lives and well -beings of users , stressing the need for accurate measurement in aviation, trade, health, oil and gas production, power, transportation, water, banking, telecommunication, food processing cannot be over emphasized.
He further said that the adaptation of the theme for this year’s World Metrology Day could not have been more appropriate considering the digital revolution we have experienced in the past two decades, adding that technology has affected positively the way we conduct business, the rate of growth of digital technology requires that we adapt our systems and activities to go with the trend with the overall aim of proving our services to the public according to him, Nigeria has taken cognizance of the importance of digital technology and its attendant economic benefits, that it had to establish a full-fledged Ministry, the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy to drive the process in the country.
He further explained that, according to a joint statement by the DIPM and OIML , stressing that,“the opportunities brought by digital transformation will be realized more quickly if the global quality infrastructure can be adopted to promote and use new digital technology that generate and use data that is FAIR” he added.
He disclosed that it is compelling for the Weights and Measures Department, as a public service provider, to leverage the existing digital technology in the provision of verification activities and revenue generation drive therefore , the application of digital technology in the provision of legal metrology services will involve a gradual process to ensure a reliable digital transformation.
This requires the efforts and cooperation of all stakeholders in the metrology community, in addition, the Department should take advantage of the directive from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF),
to Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs) to digitize their activities and operations.
He said the activities planned to celebrate World Metrology Day 2022 includes Road Show and Enlightenment Campaign on the benefits of using measurement scales in the buying and selling of Agricultural Commodities and food items such as meat and fish adding that the use of verified scales in the sale of food items ensures that buyers get value of their money and sellers get the correct amount for their products.
“The National Council on Industry,Trade and Investment at its last meeting held at Ado- Ekiti, Ekiti State in 2021, to approve the Memorandum presented to it on the sale of tubers and other agricultural products by way of verified scales stressing that in no distance, the decision will be implemented throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria, after the conclusion of the required processes on it” he added
He further revealed that “I would like to state that the Ministry, under my leadership, will continue to provide the necessary support and wherewithal to Weights and Measures Department to enable it continue to provide the required services that will ensure Measurements in Trade transactions and other legal metrology activities are fair, legal and accurate.
As part of that commitment, the Ministry inaugurated a Committee to review the Weights and Measures Act and other relevant Technical Regulations with a view to ensuring that the Department is adequately prepared to meet the present-day challenges in its enforcement activities adding the whole country is looking up to the department to ensure that legal metrology is properly implemented to ensure fair trade, safety on the Highways and protection of the environment”.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director Weights and Measures Department, Mr. Hassan Tai Ejibunu said one of the cornerstone of digital transformation is the open and transparent exchange of information” whatever information is needed it must be easy to find and easy access in a format that is both inter-portable and reusable adding that the date meet these requirements are what we owe known being “FAIR” as they must be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable, stressing that when these requirements are met, date can be recognised as being trustworthy and can underpin open data practices.” Ajibunu added.
He further explained that in order to maximize the efficiency with which information is used in the new digital world, it is essential that all sources of information should not only be readily available by humans but also be available in that format that can be read by machines.
It would be recalled that 20th May of every year is celebrated as World Metrology Day.
Ibrahim Haruna
Head, Press and Public Relations Unit
