By Martin Lubasi
The Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) has directed fuel terminals, commercial depot’s and retail sites to ensure that only compliant tanker trucks are permitted to load or offload petroleum products within Zambia
In a statement, ZMA executive director Humphrey Nkobeni stated that all Tanker Trucks used for the transportation of petroleum products were required by law to comply with the prescribed metrological control requirements
H notified that all Petroleum products transporters and Oil Marketing Companies operating within the Republic of Zambia were, in accordance with the Metrology Act No. 6 of 2017 and the Metrology (Measuring Instruments) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 55 of 2021, particularly Regulation 27, all required to comply with the prescribed metrological control requirements.
He stated that this requirement applied to all petroleum tanker trucks, whether used for local or cross-border transportation, and includes tanker trucks registered under the Energy Regulation Act, 2019, or any other written law. In this regard, all tanker trucks operating in Zambia must hold a valid verification certificate issued by the Zambia Metrology Agency.
”Consequently, the Agency has communicated to all fuel terminals, commercial depots, and retail sites to ensure that only compliant tanker trucks are permitted to load or offload petroleum products within Zambia. Any tanker truck that does not possess a valid verification certificate issued by the Agency shall be deemed non-compliant and shall not be allowed to carry fuel for commercial purposes,” Nkobeni stated. “All petroleum transporters are therefore advised to take immediate steps to ensure that all tanker trucks under their ownership or control are duly verified and fully compliant with the applicable metrology laws. For purposes of inspection and compliance monitoring at loading and off-loading points, tanker trucks shall not load or transport petroleum products in excess of, or below, the exact compartment capacities indicated on the valid Metrology Certificate.”
H stated that failure to comply with this requirement shall be treated as a contravention of metrology requirements.
”The Agency shall, in due course, commence a nationwide inspection and enforcement programme to monitor compliance. Transporters found to be in contravention of the law shall be liable to enforcement action, which may include prosecution, in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Zambia,” stated Nkobeni.
