In a sustainable drive to motivate Freetown market women and other Traders to see reason why they should take advantage of the new Standard measuring cups.
Traders from all walks of life on Monday 20th January, 2025 converged at the Conference Hall of Sierra Leone Standards Bureau Head Quarters at Wahman Abu Compound Kelsey Road Ferry Junction where bags of short and long grains of 50 kilogram of rice and a 5 litter vegetable oil were weighed and Measured in the presence of huge numbers of Traders in order to drive the national metrication process further.
A bag of rice Measured contained 104 Standard cups while a gallon of cooking oil Measured contained 5 litres and 10 Standard cups.
welcoming Traders to the meeting,
the Executive Director Sierra Leone Standards Bureau Dr. John Paul Kaisam called on all Traders across the country to maintain positive attitude towards innovative concept for the good of all .
He confirmed that the rollout of the new Standard measuring cups in general trade and commerce has started in Freetown since last year and is expected to go nationwide with the aim of achieving value for money and to boost quality of life for generations yet unborn.
He said the metric system is Government programme and should be embraced by everyone stating that Traders should always buy from stores and shops with Standard scales.
The Manager of Metrology Department Sierra Leone Standards Bureau Frank Martin
Maintained that the public demonstration of the Standard measurement is to instill trust and confidence in Traders and consumers to make good use of the new Standard measurements and to ignore the use of imperial or illegal measurements systems.
The Director of Consumer Protection Commission Mr Lawrence Bassie observed that Sierra Leone used to be a British colony that was used to imperial system of measurements but the national metrication system has been launched since last year to bring fairness in trade and general commerce.
He therefore requested both Traders and consumers to embrace the new Standard measurements.
Mr Moses Kaikai the Deputy Director of Compliance in the Ministry of Trade and Industry said the Ministry is very much in supportive of the metric system and will work closely with Standards Bureau to ensure that new Standard measurements succeed .
However, some Traders expressed appreciation for the new Standard measurements while others remain apprehensive noting that Government should engage rice dealers to reduce the prices of rice and other essential commodities along side change in measurements so that they could maximise profits.
The Executive Director Sierra Leone Standards Bureau responded that his institution doesn’t regulate prices he advised Traders to adjust their prices according to the official purchase prices from the shops and stores.
He confirmed that Government through the Ministry of Trade and Industry has commenced price review for rice and expressed optimism that towards the end 2025 rice prices would have been adjusted to an affordable cost for every segment of society to benefit from.
Serray Menu Chairlady of Lumley Market said Sierra Leoneans should learn to appreciate innovative ideas like the metric system ,pointing out that Guinea is a clear example of where metric system has succeeded in their day to day business transactions.
Chair lady Tombo Market Women Alimatu Sesay
Pleaded with Government to ensure that all rice dealers have Standard scales in their shops and stores.
The National ChairLady of Market Women Haja Marie Bob Kandeh said she initiated the demonstration of Standard measurement to encourage Traders to take advantage of the opportunity.
She allayed the fear of traders confirming that she is in consultation with Government to prevail on rice dealers to reduce the cost. However, the Chairman of Traders Union Alex Conteh and the Secretary General of Traders Council-SL Foday Mansaray expressed gratitude to Sierra Leone Standards Bureau and the Ministry of Trade and Industry for demonstrating the new Standard measurements for the benefits of traders who have little or no knowledge on how the new Standard measurements operates.
