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By Joyce Mukucha
In an effort aimed at helping the government on the implimentation of the Montreal Protocol in Zimbabwe focusing on the major objective of gradual reduction and eventual elimination of man-made chemicals and substances production that deplete the ozone layer and contribute to global warming, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is tirelessly working to combat illegal trade of these substances.
Speaking during a National Ozone Unit (NOU) media workshop in Darwendale last week, ZIMRA Training Manager, Lilian Musarandega said since Zimbabwe does not produce these ozone layer depleting substances and so relies on imports to meet domestic needs, ZIMRA was committed to make concerted efforts in ensuring that the ozone layer is protected by restricting entry of harmful chemicals and substances.
“As Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, we are there to help Zimbabwe in the restoration of the ozone layer. Our vision, says, ‘ZIMRA seeks to ba e beckon of excellence in the provision of fiscal services and facilitation of trade and travel.’ From that vision statement, you hear that we are there to facilitate trade but we do not facilitate entry into Zimbabwe for any kind of substance that just arrives in the ports of entry, we facilitate trade which is legal.
“So the control of goods into Zimbabwe is enshrined in our vision. Our mission says ZIMRA is created mobilise revenue and also to facilitate sustainable compliance with fiscal and customs laws for the economic development of the country,”she said.
Musarandega said for Zimbabwe to have sustainable development, it needs to have a protected environment therefore ZIMRA was working together with different stakeholders to combat destruction of climate, fauna and flora and even extinction of endangered species.
“ZIMRA stands for the economic development of the country. We can not develop economically when our environment is damaged. So as ZIMRA we work together with other stakeholders like the National Ozone Unit to ensure that we contribute together to the preservation of the environment so that ultimately we can have economic prosperity,” said Musarandega.
She said through its different strategies, ZIMRA was committed to protecting the communities by ensuring that the environment is not damaged as a result of illegal trade.
“The ZIMRA strategy as it has always been over the years, we have within the ZIMRA strategy, the pillar or the goal to enhance to trade, the that we enhance as I said is legal. We have also committed ourselves in the ZIMRA strategy to protect the society in Zimbabwe and worldwide.”
The Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer was adopted by the international community on the 16th September 1987. Since the entry into force of the Montreal Protocol in 1989, a lot of progress has been made on eliminating the production and use of the Ozone Layer depleting substances.
These substances are used in a number of sectors which include refrigeration and air conditioning, fire suppression,soil, commodity and structural fumigation, cleaning applicants, medical aerosols and laboratory uses among others.