Rain defers desalination equipment inspection

Rain in Lorengau today disrupted the scheduled inspection and customs clearance of equipment which will be used in the solar powered seawater Desalination plants in Manus.

 Nine 20 foot shipping containers were supposed to be opened today for clearance by Customs.

 The National Project manager Tom Anayabere said this will now take place on Tuesday due to rain in Lorengau.

The containers contain solar equipment and  includes backup controls and batteries, plus the actual desalination plant equipment that will be installed in the project islands of Bipi, Mbuke, Whal, Nauna, Mal and Aua.

A delivery of the equipment is expected to be done on Thursday to Bipi island. Mbuke and Whal will receive their plants next week.

“Otherwise the project is flowing very smooth and I am very happy with the progress so far,” said Anayabere when speaking to Loop PNG from Lorengau today.

A second team of Sojitz engineers from Japan’sToray Industry, the manufacturers of the desalination plant will arrive in Manus on Oct 23. The first team have been in Manus since May.

Anayabere said once the team arrives, full installation of the plants will be carried out leading up to the actual commissioning in December. The project will be handed back to the locals in December.

The Pacific Environment Community (PEC), funded Desalination project in the five islands will see Manus Province lead the way with this technology that will see solar-powered seawater desalination plant systems installed to convert salt water to fresh drinking water.

The pioneering project will pave the way for similar projects to be implemented for other atoll islands affected by the effects of climate change, resulting in the rise of sea level which is affecting their source of drinking water.

(Supplied picture of the containers containing the Desalination plants currently Lorengau. Picture courtesy of Tom Anayabere.)

 

 

 

 

Author: 
Sally Pokiton