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Bureau of Public Works Repairs Damaged Sewer Pump

November 12, 2017 in Local News / Beches el Chais

For Immediate Release
Serial No. PR-17-066
November 12, 2017
Office of the President

On November 7, President Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr. met with the PPUC Management team and a few board members regarding the damaged sewer pump station that failed in October.  In the meeting, PPUC informed the President that unless PPUC receives repair parts by the 10th of November, they cannot do anything. According to PPUC, there is an existing pump at this particular pump station (SPS2 at intersection to Malakal Port) but repairs to it and its valves will take longer time compared to waiting for the spare parts coming from Singapore.

At the meeting, President Remengesau announced to PPUC that Bureau of Public Works (BPW) is coming in to resolve the problems and that PPUC should provide all assistance that BPW may need. After the instruction, BPW held a logistical meeting at the BPW Conference Room and at the site as well. An operations post was set up at the pump station, and logistics prep for a round the clock Ops commenced. Pumps, working lights, crew, safety and sanitary gear, and meals were brought it before sunset on Tuesday November 7.

“In order to reach the pump and broken valves, the BPW had to drain all the sewage in the well and in the pipes. The draining task took all night to 3pm next day (11/8) after which the broken valves were removed and repaired. Reinstallation of valves and safety check of the pump was completed at 11PM on November 8. The system was back on line before midnight November 8,” said Brian Melairei, the Acting-Director of BPW.

In the meeting with PPUC, President Remengesau expressed the frustrations of PPUC customers and that immediate action must be taken by the board and management team to prevent repetitive failures that are very preventable and to assure the public of effective and reliable delivery of services.

President Remengesau has further requested PPUC to reinstate back-up pumping capacities in the two pump stations in Malakal and all pump stations that have no back up pumps at the soonest time possible.

Click on the following link to download this press release: Press Release_BPW Repairs Damaged Sewer Pump_12NOV2017_FINAL