The Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture in collaboration with Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) held a promotion of environmentally sound management of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) oils in transformers in Maseru on Friday.
Promotion of environmentally sound management of PCB in transformers aims at eliminating use of PCB oils in transformers.
Speaking at the occasion, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Environment and Culture, Dr ‘Mamoeketsi Ntho commended all stakeholders engaged in taking care of the environment.
She thanked them for sponsoring projects that protect and maintain clean environment, saying a healthy environment leads to a healthy life.
She stressed that it has come to their realization as United Nations (UN) countries that the oils found in the transformers are dangerous to humans and environment, hence find it befitting to raise awareness about PCBs.
She therefore warned Basotho to stop using PCB oils and mercury, saying they can cause incurable diseases like Cancer, Immune effects, reproductive effects and endocrine.
Also speaking, LEC Risk Management Officer, Mrs. Matšeliso Moremoholo said the UN countries have reached an agreement that by 2025 all transformers with PBC oils will be removed, noting that LEC had 14 transformers with PBC oils but so far, they have managed to eliminate seven.
Mrs. Moremoholo added research has proved that the PCB oils and mercury have bad effects hence it is important to eliminate them in the country.
LEC launched the movement to eliminate the use of PCB oils and mercury in 2018.