-focusing on the phasing out of ODS
THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is taking decisive steps to promote a consciousness of the environment and the process began yesterday with a three-day workshop which is addressing the protection of the ozone layer.
The workshop focuses on monitoring the imports of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and, in time, the phasing out of their use altogether. The three-day activity was held at GRA’s training centre at the Customs and Trade Administration building, Main Street.
Owing to the fact that customs officers play a key role in monitoring the country’s imports, they were the majority of the participants at the workshop.
The session was organised in collaboration with GRA, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Ministry of Agriculture’s Hydrometeorological Service. The Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA), the Office of Climate Change (OCC) and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce are also involved, among others.
The facilitators concur that the three-day activity is an important step for Guyana to have the Montreal Protocol implemented.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer (a protocol to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer) is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion.
It is believed that if the international agreement is adhered to, the ozone layer is expected to recover by 2050. It has been ratified by 196 states and is supported by the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
The Fund provides assistance to help developing countries phase out the use of ozone-depleting substances and it embodies the principle agreed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 that countries have a common but differentiated responsibility to protect and manage the global commons.
The Fund is replenished on a three-year basis by the donors. Pledges amount to US$ 2.1 billion over the period 1991 to 2005.
It is used, to finance the conversion of existing manufacturing processes, train personnel, pay royalties and patent rights on new technologies, and establish national ozone offices.
Ms. Odessa Shako, Guyana’s National Ozone Officer, speaking at the opening of the workshop made it clear that the primary objective of the workshop is to build the capacity of the customs and trade officers so that they are able to monitor the trade of ODS.
Shako added that the participants will also be introduced to other multilateral environmental agreements.
She said at the end of the workshop a plan of action will be decided on to further advance the implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
Systematic Monitoring
GRA Commissioner General Kurshid Sattaur said the success of this undertaking will be realised once there is a systematic monitoring of all ports.
“From the training programmes we have to work on putting systems in place. A lot of the ODS comes in to the country under false label. The training will address this in the terms of inspection…the training will help us move to have systematic monitoring in place,” he said.
Sattaur said the organisation has included in its standard operating procedures requirements that are specific to the control of ODS.
“There is a licensing requirement that is in place…if you want to import these products there is a limit to the quantity you can bring in for a particular period…we will not just allow these products in the country,” he assured.
Sattaur observed that there have been no negative responses on Guyana performance, adherence, to the Montreal Protocol.
“This is a collaboration with all the stakeholders…the business community is seen as an important partner in the adherence to the Protocol,” the GRA Commissioner General said.
He pointed out that Guyana does not produce any ODS and has been successful in adhering to the Montreal Protocol.
“We are the first point of contact. When you leave or enter the country you have to touch base with us…the training will assist us in being equipped to better deal with the implementation of the Protocol,” he urged.
Sattaur said training in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol will soon be a prerequisite for promotion of GRA’s customs and trade officers.
“I am fully committing my officers to this…GRA is committed to aligning itself and partnering with other agencies to address international issues, particularly combating the threat to the environment,” he said.
However, he did acknowledge that there are challenges which will face the customs and trade officers.
Sattaur maintained though that this section of the GRA is a “main line of defence.”
He added that in the context of a green economy and the direction Guyana is taking, the role of customs officers in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol is quintessential.
UNEP Representative, Ms. Artie Dubrie, who was the main facilitator of the workshop said a better environment for the future generations is the main objective of efforts such as these.
She added that for the last 11 years work has been ongoing with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Hydrometeorological Service to have a national institutionalised mechanism to work with the various stakeholders.
“It is only this way that we have been able to address the implementation of the Montreal Protocol,” she said.