The National Environment Agency (NEA) recently held a sensitisation forum for members of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) in Central River Region (CRR) on Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) in Janjangbureh.

Speaking at the sensitisation forum, Samba Badjie, the programme officer of the Ozone Unit at the National Environment Agency, explained that the ozone layer controls the temperature structure of the air around the earth by absorbing the harmful ultraviolet B radiation from the sun, thus safeguarding life on the planet.

He said that, scientific research has indicated that the potential of chlorofluorocarbons is ruining the ozone layer. He noted that some of the chemicals people are producing are causing damage to the ozone layer and as a result they are banned. This, he said, is a global concern and it needs global approach to tackle the problem.

Badjie also revealed that, they have established an association called Refrigerator Technicians' Association in each region across the country in order to help people to stop using the banned chemicals and gases. The assistant programme officer of the Communication and Education Unit at the National Environment Agency, Sheikh Alkinky Sanyang called for drastic cuts in the use of chlorofluorocarbons which are the main causes of ozone destruction. He urged the people to change their attitudes towards the environment as there are many complications when the ozone layer is destroyed. Such complications, he added include; eye cataract and skin cancer.

He implored  the participants to disseminate the information to their colleagues. Fafanding Katiri Kinteh, the regional programme officer of NEA in the Central River Region, appealed to the general public to report anyone found using the banned gases to NEA officers. Speaking on behalf of the TAC members, Andrew Gomez, the senior education officer in Region 5, commended NEA for the gesture. He said the importance of the sensitisation cannot be over emphasised as it will go a long way in reducing the use of chlorofluorocarbons in the region.