Bureau of Standards tasked with assessing quality of electronic appliances
The Undersecretary in the Ministry of Dams and Energy, Tom Remis, urged the Bureau of Standards to assess the quality standards of the electronic gadgets used in the country.
Speaking during the staff training on the lighting testing equipment in Juba yesterday, Remis said there are a lot of challenges facing South Sudan when it comes to importing electronic appliances which must be addressed.
“We have a lot of electrical issues that sometimes lead to the burning of houses, shops, and markets. So, it’s important to measure the level of electricity to be used in order to address all the issues with electricity,” he said during the launch of new lighting equipment set to be used in market surveillance.
Speaking at the same event, the acting Director General of the South Sudan Bureau of Standards, Majak Deng, added that most equipment being imported do not meet the required quality standards.
“This is the first time for South Sudan to have lighting testing equipment because we have been focusing on food testing equipment since food is the first priority.”
“This portable lighting testing equipment will be based in the Nimule border in order for the country to be safe from importing fake light,” Majak said.
According to Majak, the government will start the survey in the markets to know the measures and standards of the electricity that people are using before the testing.
“We want to make sure that the products that we are using in the country comply with the standard. So, it needs collective responsibility in order for all the products entering the country to meet the standards,” Majak added.
Several buildings and markets have reportedly burnt due to electric faults in Juba.
In June, the South Sudan Bureau of Standards signed a five-year deal with the East Africa Automobile Company for the inspection of all motor vehicles and spare parts imported to South Sudan.
This came after bureau realised that most of the cars imported into the country did not meet South Sudan standards.
The Chief Executive Officer of the South Sudan Bureau of Standards, Mary Gordon, said the contract entails the provision of the product pre-confirmative standard for all the cars.
“This is the responsibility and the mandate of the National Bureau of Standards to provide standards forecasts and then ensure that the economy is supported,” she said.
According to her, the radiation from cars was the most alarming problem, which in most cases affects the health of the users.
