TheCable

Stakeholders have expressed commitment to phase out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) used in the refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) manufacturing sector. 

They made the commitment in Lagos on Thursday during a workshop for the third stage of the hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) phase-out management plan (HPMP) project.  

The event was organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the federal ministry of environment. 

HCFC is used as a refrigerant in several applications such as unitary air conditioners, cold storage, retail food refrigeration equipment, chillers, and industrial process refrigeration.

Jean Bakole, UNIDO representative to ECOWAS and regional director, Nigeria’s regional office hub, said the Montreal Protocol regulates the production and consumption of about 100 chemicals, referred to as ODS. 

He said stage three of the HPMP primarily focuses on the investment projects for the phase-out of “HCFC-22” in the RAC manufacturing sector to achieve additional HCFC reductions.

On his part, Mohammed Abdullahi, minister of environment, said the first phase of the project was completed in 2015, adding that the implementation of the HPMP stage II project commenced in 2020, and “achieved the complete phase-out of HCFC-141b from January 1, 2023”.

“My ministry commenced the implementation of the HPMP project in 2011, with the objective to completely phase out 344.9 ozone depletion potential tonnes of HCFCs by 1st January 2040,” he said.

The minister, who was represented by Toyin Agbenla, the ministry’s zonal director, Lagos and south-west, said the implementation of stage three of the HPMP project includes three elements. 

“They are phase-out of HCFC-22 in the commercial refrigeration manufacturing sector, phase-out of HCFC-22 in the residential air-conditioning manufacturing sector, and Kpabeb scholarship programme for female RAC engineers and technicians,” the minister said. 

Abdullahi said under the commercial refrigeration manufacturing component of the project, “HCFC-22” is expected to be replaced with hydrocarbons, due to their low global warming potential. 

He added that under the air-conditioning manufacturing component of the project, two companies would be supported to convert from hydrofluorocarbons to hydrocarbons.

The scholarship component of the project is expected to “encourage potential females to consider developing their careers in refrigeration and air conditioning”. 

Speaking to journalists about the likely challenges to be faced with the implementation of the third phase of the HPMP, Agbenla said the replacements (hydrocarbons) are highly inflammable. 

However, she added that the idea is not just to “replace the highly inflammable substances”, but to ensure that “those who will use it ( the technicians) will be trained and certified”, so it does not get into the hands of untrained individuals who might handle it carelessly.