PURA inks MoU with Weights and Measures Department

The Public Utilities and Regulatory Authority (PURA) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Weights and Measures Department.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Director General of PURA, Ansumana Sanneh, disclosed that the PURA Act 2001 empowers PURA to regulate public services including telecommunication, water and electricity and petroleum among a host of others.

The Petroleum Act of 2006 also mandates to PURA, a specific regulatory oversight of the total downstream of the petroleum sector.

He divulged that over the decades, PURA has tried to build its capacity to fulfill its various regulatory mandates including working with partner institutions like the Weights and Measures Department to collaborate and also share responsibilities.

“Within the petroleum subsector, PURA will be responsible for both setting the as well as monitoring the standard,” he said.

He declared that the MoU was set out so that Weights and Measures Department could continue its mandate in this field, while PURA would be partnering with them to ensure there is no overlap or duplication of this function.

According to him, through the MoU, regulatory efficiency would be guaranteed for investors and the entire business sector.

“It is my hope that this partnership would draw similar functions of our MoU with sister bodies like The Gambia Competition Commission, the Department of Water Resources, the Fire and Rescue Services and other institutions,” he said.

Cherno Njai, the controller of Weights and Measure Department, said that the MoU would go a long way in addressing the challenges being faced by the institution and also protecting the rights of the consumers.

 He said having an association with PURA in helping them develop in terms of equipment and other proper working mechanisms is a thing in the right direction.

“This is the thing we have been seeking for. Equipment is an impediment to our work in most of the areas,” he said.