By Our Reporter
The Cross River State government has secured the federal government’s gradual implementation of the Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) Phase out Management Plan (HPMP) Project for 3 technical colleges in the State.
Accordingly, three technical colleges in the state have been selected for stage II of the project that has United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as the Lead and Co-operating Agencies.
The project covers distribution and installation of refrigeration and air conditioning tools and equipment across select technical colleges. This initiative stems from the strategic partnership between the Cross River State Ministry of Science and Technology, Cool Plus Ltd, the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Ozone Office under the UNDP programme.
Letters from the Federal Ministry of Environment dated 31st January, 2025, which were addressed to principals of Community Technical College, Ikot Effanga, Calabar; Government Technical College, Ogoja; and Bendi Technical College, Obanliku, explained that as part of the project implementation, refrigeration and air conditioning technicians will be trained on best practices in the use of Ozone-friendly and Low Global Warming Potential Refrigerants during servicing of equipment.
“A major activity under stage II of the HPMP project, being implemented by the Ministry in collaboration with UNDP, is the Training and Certification of Refrigeration & Air conditioning Technicians on Best Practices in the use of Ozone-friendly and Low Global Warming Potential Refrigerants during servicing of equipment. To achieve this activity, the project will be upgrading selected centres/schools offering Refrigeration & Air conditioning training, by distributing and installing training equipment at the centres/schools to facilitate the aforementioned training.
“In view of the above, I am directed to inform you that the Ministry under the abovementioned project has selected your school as one of the centres to benefit from the equipment support. The list of the equipment is attached herewith,” the letter reads.
Recall that just a few weeks ago, His Excellency the Governor of Cross River State *Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu* approved the relocation of the Science and Technical Education Board (STEB) from Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Science and Technology. And this collaboration is only one of the many promising achievements the Honourable Commissioner, *Dr. Justin Beshel* has initiated in the promotion of Science and Technical Education.
