SOLOMON Island Customs & Excise Division (SICED) proudly took ownership of a new gas testing machine that can identify prohibited and restricted gases
Customs recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Ozone Unit of the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) for the enforcement and control of importation and exportation of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) in the Solomon Islands.
This covers goods and equipments that contain gases such as Air Conditioners, Freezers, Chillers and Motor vehicles.
Of that, there are certain gases that are restricted or prohibited under the Ozone Depleting Substances.
With the Identifier machine, Customs and Excise officials have now got the capability to test imported gases with the ability to identify whether they are prohibited or restricted gases under its obligation of the recently signed MOU.
The testing machine is provided by the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification.
Fifteen Customs Officers, mostly from the Cargo Examination Team were trained by staff from the National Ozone Unit on how to use the machine at the borders.
Demonstration on the use of the machine was done by the Chairman of the SI Refrigeration and Air Condition Association, Mr. Albert Rura.
Customs Officers are now very confident on how to use the machine in the actual work place. Similar training will also be conducted with Customs Officers in Noro, Western Province.
Customs is committed to play its role as a Border Protection Agency, assisting the Solomon Islands comply with its International Agreements to keep its borders safe from the environmentally destroying ozone gases.
