DODOMA: THE Weights and Measures Agency (WMA) has expressed confidence in achieving its targets, having successfully verified over three million measuring instruments across various sectors in the country within four years of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration.
According to WMA Chief Executive Officer, Alban Kihulla, the agency has achieved an impressive 94 per cent of its target under President Samia’s bold and economically driven leadership.
“In the past four years, WMA set a target of verifying 3,923,652 measuring instruments. Of these, 102,969 were found with minor defects, which were rectified before approval, while 5,607 were rejected due to irreparable faults,” Mr Kihulla informed journalists in Dodoma while briefing on achievements made by WMA during the four years of President Samia’s leadership.
He noted that the verification of measuring instruments has played a crucial role in economic growth by ensuring fair trade practices and enhancing the credibility of Tanzanian products in regional and international markets, thereby attracting investment. measurements, businesses have operated fairly, boosting market trust and benefiting both traders and consumers,” he said.
He added: “The verification of measurements has reduced product losses, ensuring that the government receives the rightful revenue from fuel sales…This is crucial as the sector significantly contributes to the national economy without losses or fraud,” he said.
The agency has also assisted water authorities in ensuring accurate billing based on actual consumption, in line with the government’s efforts to expand water supply coverage.
“Currently, our government has reached 83 per cent water supply in rural areas and 91 per cent in urban areas. As WMA, we ensure that all installed water metres in these areas are verified,” he added.
Additionally, WMA has successfully verified a large number of tanker trucks used for transporting liquids the four years of President Samia’s leadership. He noted that the verification of measuring instruments has played a crucial role in economic growth by ensuring fair trade practices and enhancing the credibility of Tanzanian products in regional and international markets, thereby attracting investment. “By ensuring accurate
through its state-of-the-art verification centre in Misugusugu, one of the most advanced facilities in East and Central Africa, capable of verifying up to 60 tankers per day.
Between 2021 and February 2025, the Misugusugu Centre verified 21,746 tankers transporting liquid cargo from the Dar es Salaam Port to various regions and neighbouring countries, including Zambia, Rwanda, Malawi, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“The verification of measurements has reduced product losses, ensuring that the government receives the rightful revenue from fuel sales…This is crucial as the sector significantly contributes to the national economy without losses or fraud,” he said.
The agency has also acquired four flow metres for verifying metres installed at fuel depots, mines and airports to ensure accurate fuel dispensing.
WMA has verified a total of 30.6 billion litres of fuel from 546 vessels arriving in the country, marking an increase from 136 vessels in 2021/22 to 174 by February 2025.
“This growth is attributed to government improvements in service delivery and port infrastructure,” Mr Kihulla stated.
In supporting the government’s clean energy campaign led by President Samia, WMA has been inspecting and verifying gas cylinders to ensure consumers receive the correct quantity of gas as per the amount paid.
Over the four-year period, the agency has contributed a total of 17.1bn/- to the government’s central fund, with projections to contribute more than 7bn/- in the 2024/25 financial year.
As of February 2025, WMA has already contributed 3.8bn/-.
Furthermore, the agency has enhanced its human resource capacity by employing 186 permanent verification officers, improving efficiency in inspection and verification nationwide.
“For years, our workforce was largely on contract, which affected morale. With these new permanent positions, we expect a significant boost in performance,” he remarked.
To strengthen enforcement, WMA has established 10 special inspection centres in Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Kilimanjaro, Songwe, Mbeya, Kagera, Kigoma and Mara, with the Dar es Salaam centre designated as a metrology hub responsible for inspecting pre-packaged goods entering through the port.
