10th June 2019 The Department of Climate Change – Ozone Depleting Substances Division has successfully implemented a two days (5-6/06/19) training on Hydrochlorofluorocarbon phase out management plan at the Fakamelino Hall in Neiafu, Vava’u.
The training was hosted by Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) division of the climate change department and was conducted collaboratively in the company of Tonga Customs, with the aim of promoting Ozone depletion awareness and proper inspection protocols of ODS at entry point (border control).
Majority of the participants were from the Ministry of Customs Vava’u however, there were also representatives from other line ministries such as His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Quarantine, Fisheries and other Custom brokers. These two day trainings had fully equipped the participants with a full armor of law enforcement skills as well as knowledge to monitor and control the movement and trade of ODS goods at the border.
The deputy CEO of Tonga Customs, Mr. Sau Niulala during his opening remarks, strongly emphasized the essence of customs’ role as first line of defense of a country at the border and all the risks a country would encounter if border security is not strictly tight to its sole responsibility of securing and ensuring legal trades of ODS goods, in specific for the purpose of the training.
Towards the end of the training, a demonstration on the usage of the Gas identifier equipment from UNEP to assist in tracing ODS smuggling was conducted by one of the ozone officers from Tonga to the newly recruited customs officers of Vava’u.
The training was officially closed by Mr. Uikelotu Vunga the head of ODS division, and on behalf of the ministry of MEIDECC, he highly acknowledged all the participants and their perspective ministries for it is by their commitments and willing to participate that made the ozone safeguard mission objectives for Vava’u a success. Vunga also hoped for more team work in the future due to the significances of this worldwide mission – SAFEGUARDING THE OZONE LAYER .
ENDS.
Issued by the Department of Climate Change (MEIDECC)