By Hawa Dolley
MONROVIA, Oct. 7 (LINA)— The Liberia Standards Authority (LISA) has intensified its inspection and verification exercises across the country to protect consumers from inaccurate measurements, substandard products and unfair trading practices.
The exercise covers fuel stations, commercial weighing scales and building materials, among other products and services.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, the Director General of LISA Hon. Koakum Emmanuel Myers, Deputy Managing Director-General for Technical Services, said the Authority is working with relevant government institutions to strengthen compliance with national standards and protect consumers.
Hon. Myers said LISA metrologists, in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, are conducting bi-annual inspections of fuel dispensing pumps to ensure motorists receive the correct quantity of fuel for which they pay.
He said the pumps are tested using standard five-gallon prover cans to determine whether they are operating within the required tolerance.
According to him, once a pump passes verification, LISA seals the dispensing unit and places an official sticker showing the validity of the verification.
He urged motorists to check for the LISA verification sticker before purchasing fuel.
“When you go to any gas station, please check for the Liberia Standards Authority sticker before you buy,” Hon. Myers cautioned.
He said tampering with LISA seals and failure to comply with standards remain major challenges, noting that some non-compliant operators have faced legal action.
Hon. Myers said the Authority is also engaging petroleum importers, the Liberia National Police and the Liberia National Fire Service on safety concerns involving fuel stations and roadside fuel vendors.
He said the LISA is also conducting verification of weighing scales used in supermarkets, butcheries and open markets to ensure consumers receive the correct quantities of goods purchased.
The Authority, he added, intends to conduct regular spot checks to ensure that weighing scales remain properly calibrated and carry valid LISA verification seals.
Hon. Myers further disclosed that the LISA is holding discussions on the introduction of a standardized measuring cup for the sale of rice in local markets.
He said the move is intended to address the use of modified and unstandardized cups, which can result in consumers receiving different quantities of rice for the same price.
On building materials, Hon. Myers said the LISA has established an inter-institutional mechanism with the Ministry of Commerce, Liberia Revenue Authority, Ministry of Public Works, Liberia Engineering Society and the Consumer Protection Association to monitor the quality of construction materials on the Liberian market.
He said the surveillance exercise will initially focus on cement, steel rods, nails, roofing sheets and tiles.
According to him, technical committees have been established to engage manufacturers, importers and distributors in developing baseline national quality standards and ensuring compliance.
Hon. Myers called on businesses to ensure that their measuring instruments are properly calibrated and to refrain from tampering with LISA verification seals.
He also urged consumers to check verification stickers, confirm the quantities of goods purchased and report suspected violations to the appropriate authorities.
“Our message remains simple: If you pay for a liter or a gallon, you should get a liter or a gallon. If you pay for a kilogram, you must have a kilogram. When you pay for quality, you should have it,” Hon. Myers said.