04/09/2026
ZEMA DONATES SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT TO NORTEC....
Northern Technical College (NORTEC) is strengthening the country’s capacity for environmentally responsible refrigeration and air-conditioning services following the handover of specialised equipment and toolkits by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA).
The equipment, provided under the Hydrochlorofluorocarbon Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) will enhance hands-on training for students, trainers and industry technicians in refrigerant recovery, leak detection, identification, servicing and the adoption of ozone-friendly technologies.
In a speech read on his behalf by NORTEC Training Manager, Mr Stembridge Mulapa, College Principal Eng. Martin Kasonso said the equipment will go beyond sitting in workshops, emphasizing that it will be put to work in developing practical competencies needed to support Zambia’s environmental commitments under the Montreal Protocol.
"The equipment will not simply sit in our workshops. It will be put to work in developing the skills of our students, instructors and industry practitioners,” Eng Kasonso said.
He further underscored the importance of developing a skilled workforce capable of supporting the country’s transition to environmentally friendly technologies.
"Sustainable development requires a skilled workforce. We cannot successfully transition to environmentally friendly technologies without technicians who understand how to install, service, maintain, recover and manage refrigerants safely and responsibly,” he said.
The handover also coincided with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NORTEC and ZEMA aimed at strengthening the collaboration.
Speaking at the event, ZEMA Acting Director General Mr Christopher Kanema, in a speech read on his behalf by Director of Licensing and Compliance Services Ms Moono Munkombwe-Kanjelesa, said the initiative goes beyond the provision of equipment, highlighting its broader contribution to skills development and environmental protection.
"Today’s handover is not simply about equipment; it is about investing in skills, people and Zambia’s environmental future,” he said.
The partnership, supported by UNIDO, represents a significant investment in building a skilled workforce capable of supporting Zambia’s transition towards environmentally sound refrigeration technologies while contributing to the protection of the ozone layer.
