RETIRED WMA LEADER: ACCURATE MEASUREMENTS ARE THE FOUNDATION OF A STRONG ECONOMY

By WMA – Dodoma

A retired senior official of the Weights and Measures Agency (WMA), former Director of Support Services Deogratius Aloyce Maneno, has said government investment in accurate measurement systems is key to building a strong economy and ensuring a fair marketplace.

Maneno made the remarks on August 8, 2026, when he visited the WMA exhibition stand during the 33rd National Farmers’ Exhibition (Nanenane) held at the Dkt. John Malecela grounds in Dodoma.

After being received by WMA experts and briefed on improvements in measurement equipment and public education initiatives, the retired director said he was proud to see initiatives he had helped establish continuing to grow.

“I am very pleased to see that WMA has made significant progress. When we started, we faced challenges related to equipment and public awareness, but today I see young professionals confidently providing education. This is the impact of investment,” he said.

Drawing on his many years of experience at WMA, Maneno offered several recommendations aimed at further improving the agency’s measurement verification services.

He said while educating large-scale traders was important, greater attention should now be directed toward small-scale traders, including food vendors and market sellers, who he said are among those most affected by the use of inaccurate and informal measuring instruments.

“This is the time to go down to the grassroots, including food vendors and market sellers, because they are the ones who suffer the most from inaccurate measurements,” he said.

Maneno, popularly known as “Bosi Deo,” also urged traders to embrace technology, particularly digital weighing scales and systems that issue receipts.

“The world has changed. Use digital weighing scales and receipt-issuing systems more. This will help maintain transaction records and reduce malpractice in business,” he said.

He further urged WMA officials to fully enforce the laws governing the agency against individuals and businesses that violate legitimate measurement requirements and procedures.

“WMA has the authority. Use it. If those who violate the law are apprehended and fined, others will be encouraged to comply. A fair marketplace requires discipline,” he said.

Meanwhile, WMA Manager for Communications and Public Relations, Veronica Simba, thanked the retired official for his contribution to establishing a strong foundation for the agency.

“We are proud of the legacy that you and other retired officials established. Today, we are continuing your vision of ensuring that every Tanzanian has access to accurate measurements. Our doors remain open to your advice at all times,” she said.

Members of the public who visited the WMA exhibition stand welcomed the presence of the retired official, describing his return to share experience with younger professionals as a good example of intergenerational knowledge transfer.

Other retired WMA officials who visited the agency’s stand during the Nanenane exhibition included Evarist Masengo, a former WMA Regional Manager, and Joseph Maliti, a former Head of Procurement.

They expressed satisfaction with the agency’s progress and commended the current leadership and staff for their continued efforts to strengthen WMA’s operations.