Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment has initiated a consultative process aimed at modernizing The Gambia’s legal metrology framework. This effort began with a workshop that brought together key stakeholders, including policymakers, health experts, and industry representatives, to review the proposed Legal Metrology Bill 2024 for better accuracy and fairness.

In his opening remarks, Lamin Dampha, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, emphasized the critical role of accurate measurements in trade, industry, and consumer protection. He highlighted that the modernization of metrology standards would benefit the economy and ensure fairness in business practices.

“The new Bill aims to modernize our legal metrology framework by incorporating advancements in science and technology related to measuring devices. It addresses the challenges posed by modern instruments, ensuring that our legislation meets current and future needs,” Dampha explained.

The collaboration with the National Assembly’s Select Committee on Trade was essential in fostering discussions around key provisions of the new bill. The engagement of stakeholders from various sectors allowed for a comprehensive dialogue that would inform the final version of the legislation.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Consumer Protection, highlighted the growing complexity of measurement devices used in diverse sectors such as trade, health, law enforcement, and environmental management. He underscored the need for an updated legal framework to reflect these advancements.

“With the advancement in technology and increasing complexity of measurement devices, there is an urgent need to update and broaden our legal framework. The new Legal Metrology Bill 2024 aims to address these gaps by modernizing regulations, ensuring fair trade practices, and protecting consumers,” said Dampha. He added that the bill had been drafted with the support of the West African Quality Programme and other key stakeholders to align with best practices in legal metrology systems.

The bill’s provisions focus on creating a robust legal infrastructure that would enhance trade facilitation and boost economic growth. Ernest Aubee, Chairman of the Gambia Standards Bureau, stressed the importance of standardized measurements to drive both local and international trade.

“This is a very important project because relevant metrology regulations are foundational to the development of efficient services and industries in The Gambia,” Aubee noted.

Hon. Kebba Jallow, Chairman of the Select Committee on Trade, echoed the importance of active participation from all sectors in the review process. He called on stakeholders to carefully examine the bill, propose amendments where necessary, and contribute to shaping the final legislation.

“The current Weight and Measurements Act of 1987 is outdated, and this new bill is a step toward bringing our legislation in line with modern needs,” Jallow explained. “The amendments or proposals will be considered by the committee, and a report will be presented for debate in the National Assembly.”

The feedback from the workshop and the wider consultative process will be incorporated into the final version of the bill, which aims to meet international standards and strengthen the country’s economy. This initiative is part of The Gambia’s broader efforts to enhance trade facilitation and comply with international agreements.