Environmental Protection Agency Gives Out Equipment to Monrovia Vocational Training Center

Monrovia – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday, May 30 give out some equipment to the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) refrigerants department as a means of helping to protect the Ozone layer of the environment.

Report by Alline Dunbar, [email protected]

Giving an overview of the equipment, the Ozone officer of the EPA, Sete Marshall said as part of the mandate of the EPA, the agency provides technical assistance to institutions that are involved in the training of refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians.

Marshall said as the world involves there is a need that developing countries including Liberia to adapt to new systems.

“As changes come about in the industry, there is also a need that we in the developing countries adapt to those changes,” he said, adding that the current system is driving away from the past set of refrigeration gases to a new set – hydrocarbons. 

“Effectively there must be the requisite tools that are used in order for proper work to be done,” he said.

Refrigerants are gases or substances used for refrigeration.

The tools were procured in order for the MVTC to enhance its training capacity; funding was provided by the German Development Corporation, GIZ.

Turning over the tools to the MVTC, the head of the EPA, Dr. Nathaniel Blama said by equipping the demonstration center at the MVTC, he sees it as a clear manifestation of government own willingness to enhance human capacity development.

“In that the more people we have trained, empowered and equipped with the knowledge of handling refrigerants will help us have a safe and secure environment,” the EPA boss said.

He stressed that “little actions” like giving tools to MVTC might be overlooked, but refrigerants are harmful to the environment and it has chain reactions because the Ozone layer is at risk due to the improper handling of refrigerants.

“The ozone gets depleted by misuse, mishandling, misapplication of the substances (refrigerants) and they get admitted into the atmosphere and it affects the ozone,” Dr. Blama said. 

He stressed that when the ozone is depleted, there is increased in the temperature, which are factors contributing to climate change and global warming.

“So by providing this equipment [and] all we are telling you is that you are partnering with the EPA and the global community in protecting the environment by extension in protecting human health and ensuring food security,” he added.

Varney Roberts, Director of the MVTC, lauded the EPA for the support and committed to using them for the intended purpose.

“I know that when the students see this they will be very amazed,” he said.

He, however, called on the EPA to continue its support to the MVTC and assured them that whenever the department of refrigeration is visited, the equipment will be available.

Some of the tools procured included:  four ways digital manifold, flexible black hose, safety kit, among others.