Revenue Authority hailed for efforts at monitoring ozone depleting substances

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) was yesterday applauded for its efforts at monitoring ozone depleting substances, while the need for continued vigilance was underscored.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark World Ozone Day, Deputy Resident Represen-tative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ms Shabnam Mallick noted that smugglers have utilized schemes that make the job of detection and restriction of these substances by Customs officer more difficult, a GRA press release said.

Shabnam Mallick
Shabnam Mallick

The need for vigilance was stressed as it was noted that smuggling operations could undermine the progress made thus far.

According to the release, acting Chief Hydromet Officer Dr Garvin Cummings applauded the efforts of the GRA in particular at monitoring ozone depleting substances.

The GRA said Deputy Head of Customs Excise and Trade Operations Patrick Hyman also hailed the contributions of partners, particularly in the area of training and the supply of equipment such as refrigerant identifiers.

Guyana has been quite successful at reducing a significant percentage of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), the release said.

It added that careful planning and the establishment of a national blueprint called key stakeholders into action and in 2007 legislation was introduced to control the importation of ozone depleting substances as well as equipment in which these substances are contained. High on the agenda also, was the phasing out of the HCFCs.

Customs officers were trained by the National Ozone Action Unit on the procedures to be applied when detaining ozone depleting substances and mandatory retrofitting at the expense of the importers. On one occasion, directives were given for the re-exportation of a shipment, based on the advice of the unit, the release said.