On September 20, 2024, during the 37th commemoration of World Ozone Protection Day, the Ozone and Climate Friendly Cooling in West and Central Africa (ROCA) project officially handed over a significant array of cooling equipment to the Ouagadougou refrigerated abattoir. This milestone event aimed to enhance the abattoir’s refrigeration system and boost the skills of local refrigeration technicians.
The ceremony took place at the Ouagadougou Abattoir Frigorifique and included the presentation of two renovated cold storage chambers, tools for technician training, and three transport refrigeration units. These resources, made available to both the abattoir and the Bureau National Ozone, aim to improve food preservation and elevate the capacities of workers in the refrigeration sector.
Mr. Francisco Bellafont, representing the European Union Delegation, underscored the importance of this contribution, noting that, while modest, the equipment effectively enhances the energy and environmental efficiency of Burkina Faso’s infrastructure in the face of climate change. The equipment, valued at 247,126.13 euros (163,100,775 FCFA), was provided through the ROCA project, financed by the European Union and Germany via the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Mrs. Fatimata Zerbo Zongo, Managing Director of the Société de Gestion de l'Abattoir Frigorifique de Ouagadougou (SOGEAO), highlighted the impact of the donation, stating that it would enable the abattoir to offer improved refrigeration services for butchers and over two million meat consumers while adhering to modern environmental standards. She also praised the dedication of ROCA project coordinator, Ms. Pauline Zaba, for bringing the project to fruition.
The equipment handover took place as part of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, co-organized by Burkina Faso’s Ministry of the Environment, Water, and Sanitation in partnership with ROCA. The event served as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding the ozone layer, emphasizing the success of the 1987 Montreal Protocol.
A representative of the Minister of Water, Environment, and Sanitation acknowledged the Montreal Protocol as a landmark of multilateral success, contributing to global efforts in phasing out ozone-depleting substances. The ROCA project received special recognition for its dedication to environmental and climate protection.
Since its inception in 2021, the ROCA project has delivered numerous achievements, including refrigeration training, awareness campaigns, and equipment donations to various centers, as well as proposing Minimum Energy Performance Standards for the sector. Further contributions include an upcoming donation of 200 R290 air conditioners to public institutions, demonstrating ROCA’s commitment to supporting Burkina Faso’s transition towards a low-carbon, green, and resilient economy.
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