14th August, 2020 The national ozone layer protection unit from the department of climate change – ministry of MEIDECC, collaboratively conducted a two days (13 – 14/08/2020) of training with the ministry of customs and revenue, targeting custom officers and brokers newly recruited to the field of border security at the Fe’ao Mo e Ngalu conference room, Nuku’alofa.
The aim of the training was to share with the target audience the science of the ozone layer, Montreal protocol, ozone layer protection act 2010 and all the knowledge that is fully required by any custom officer to effectively implement their duties in securing the border such as risk profiling, documentation and inspection techniques.
Mr. ‘Aloisio Fifita, a member of the ozone team from the department of climate change emphasized the importance of safeguarding the ozone from severe deterioration and keeping the balance between its rate of natural production and innate depletion, by avoiding the consumption and illegal trade of controlled substances listed in the Ozone Layer Protection Act 2010 & 2014. “Enforcement of the Ozone Protection Act highly contributes to the safeguarding of the ozone layer as well as the wellbeing of the customer and handlers of ozone depleting substances,” stated Mr. Fifita at the conclusion of his presentation.
Furthermore, Mr. Sau Niulala from customs and revenue explicated to the participants the significance of controlling the border and its association with the safeguarding of the ozone layer. He highlighted during his presentation that the smuggling of ozone depleting substances has entered our shores and it is the utmost responsibility of any custom officer on the field to combat these illegal actions by applying the right and proper procedures discussed and delivered during this training. He concluded by urging his officers to be vigilant whilst on duty for there has been several foreign businesses in the past few years attempting to import illegal refrigerants in a very professional and disguised method.
The training was attended by more than twenty officers from different divisions of the customs and revenue ministry. Comprehensive discussions on ozone related matters and custom duties were the essence of this training. This training is carried out on a yearly basis and funded by the United Nations Environmental Programs.
ENDS
Issued by the: Department of Climate Change (MEIDECC)