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Tina Musonza-Herald Correspondent
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has received a boost in controlling and monitoring trade in ozone depleting substances such as Hydro-fluorocarbons (HCFCs).
This follows the donation of 4 laptops and 3 LCD projectors by the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry to equip ZIMRA in implementing the Montreal Protocol.
Zimbabwe subscribes to the Montreal Protocol, a treaty that is designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone layer depletion.
Speaking at the handover of the equipment to ZIMRA in Harare yesterday, Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Ambassador Raphael Faranisi said customs officers needed to be equipped in the fight against illegal trade.
“Controlling and monitoring trade in Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) such as Hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and some Greenhouse Gases such as Hydro-fluorocarbons (HFCs) are part of Zimbabwe’s obligations under the Montreal Protocol.
The Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer and its Kigali Amendment control the production and use of these substances.
Zimbabwe does not produce these controlled substances and as such we rely on imports to meet the local demand for the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning sector among other sectors. Customs Officers are our “frontline troops” to combat illegal trade in the banned and controlled substances, he said.
Ambassador Faranisi said that the custom officers were trained to form a formidable army against the illegal trading in the ozone depleting substances.
ZIMRA Commissioner-General Ms Regina Chinamasa said environmental protection is a shared responsibility.
“Of the seventeen (17), United Nations sustainable development goals, more than half are related to the environment. Economic development strategy in Zimbabwe will not be achieved without taking care of our environment.
Ms Chinamasa added that ZIMRA will go beyond complimenting the Government to reduce environmental challenges.
“ZIMRA will continue its service delivery to the Government of Zimbabwe and serve the interest of the people in Zimbabwe, “she said
In his remarks, Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry director of climate change management Mr Washington Zhakata said the donation completed the ZIMRA budget for capacity building assistance in the implementations of Montreal Protocol.
“In consultation with the Ministry, ZIMRA presented its budget of the capacity building requirements. The budget was mainly for capacitating ZIMRA staff so that Zimbabwe could conform to the provisions of the Montreal Protocol and its Amendments and Statutory Instrument 131 of 2016”, he said
Measures including station based trainings, station visits to monitor implementation of statutory instrument 131 of 2016, to co
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