RBS cracks down on dishonest retailers

Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) received a consignment of seals to ensure that weighing machines and fuel dispensers are not tampered with. This paves way for the cracking down on tampered weighing machines and fuel dispensers by RBS starting 21st of this month. This follows consumers complaints that sellers corrupt weighing scales and cheat them during purchases.Patrice Ntiyamira, the head of the Metrology Unit at RBS, said that most of the seals have come from Germany. “Only approved and verified weighing scales and fuel dispensers will be allowed to be used,” he said. RBS is the body responsible for regulating and controlling standards, quality assurance and metrology in the country. Rarda intensifies cattle crossbreeding The Rwanda Animal Resource Development Authority (Rarda) has intensified artificial cattle insemination, through a training campaign . Training inseminators aims to increase hybrid and exotic cattle in Rwanda. Veterinary experts say when a Jersey cow is crossed with a local cow, the resultant breed can produce 10 litres of milk per day unlike a pure local breed with only 1 litre of milk per day. Dr. Otto Vianney Muhinda, the officer in charge of insemination at Rarda, said 450 people have been trained and attached to each sector in the country. The officer explained that it is hoped that more hybrid cattle will an increase in milk production thus leading to self sufficiency and the development of the dairy industry. This will also address the nutritional needs of the rural population in Rwanda, he added. The Rarda campaign follows a cattle breeding joint venture programme between the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society and the Government. Tax celebrations attract foreign delegates Rwanda Revenue Authority’s (RRA) 10th Anniversary and 7th Tax-payers’ Day celebrations have attracted several foreign delegates. Delegates from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ireland, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Holland, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo have confirmed attendance. Annette Birungi, RRA head Public Relations, explained that invitees from Zambia and Sierra Leane are coming to the organisation framework of the TaxPayers’ day. Under the theme, “Be a compliant tax payer, build your nation,” the celebrations are to be a unique platform to mobilise residents and set up a national agenda through which the Vision 2020 objectives will be realized, a statement from RRA explains. Revenue collection data indicates that RRA has continuously maximised revenue collections since its creation. In 1997, government collected Frw54.3 billion as domestic resources from customs and income tax. But in its first year of establishment—1998, the tax body collected Frw68.2 billion which was 25.6 per cent growth. Last year, the tax body collected Frw248 billion. KPA switches to computerised system In order to reduce delays in clearance in ships at the port, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has started its second phase of fully computerising cargo handling, says a statement from KPA. All containers at Nairobi and Kisumu and marines operations are also to be automated. William Mutengo, the regional resident representative of KPA in Kampala, said It will not increase costs but rather increase efficiency in service delivery and value addition. Adding that the use of technology has become an essential part of the rapid and accurate transfer and processing of enormous volumes of data. “Therefore, there is no choice but to invest in technology,” Mutengo explained. eddiemukaaya@yahoo.com