The presentation ceremony, held at the NaNA Conference Hall, followed a two-day intensive training that equipped 25 technicians from the West Coast Region and Kanifing Municipality with new skills in eco-friendly refrigeration under the Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Phasedown Initiative.
Professor Nazmat Surajudeen-Bakinde, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET), described the support as a “strategic investment” in environmental sustainability and human capacity development. She explained that the donated equipment would lay the groundwork for USET’s upcoming Recycling and Reclamation Centre, envisioned as a national hub for practical training and research in environmentally responsible cooling systems.
“This is not just a donation. It’s an investment in a greener future,” she emphasised. “It will empower students and technicians to drive innovation and sustainability across the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry.”
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Director of NEA, Deputy Director Njagga Touray said the initiative reflects The Gambia’s commitment to the Kigali Implementation Plan and the Montreal Protocol, which both seek to reduce harmful greenhouse gases that fuel global warming.
“These tools symbolize our country’s pledge to climate action,” Touray said. “They will enable technicians to apply global best practices, minimize emissions, and promote energy efficiency in cooling technologies nationwide.”
Representing the beneficiaries, technician Momodou Jeng from the West Coast Region hailed the initiative as a “game-changer” for local technicians, saying the tools will enhance work standards and improve safety in handling refrigerants. His colleague from Kanifing Municipality, Morche Assine, commended UNIDO, NEA, and USET for fostering collaboration and professional growth among Gambian technicians.
“This kind of support inspires confidence and professionalism within our field,” Assine added.
The training and equipment distribution forms part of a wider national effort to build capacity in environmentally sustainable technologies, ensuring that Gambian technicians and institutions are at the forefront of the green cooling transition.
