UNRE engages New Britain Drillers to improve campus water supply system

-

UNRE Vice-Chancellor Prof. Aisak Pue (fourth left) and New Britain Drillers Operations Manager James Devilin (third left) after the signing which was witnessed by senior University staff.

WORK on improving the water supply system at PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment’s Vudal Campus has begun.

PNG UNRE recently signed a contract with New Britain Drillers to upgrade its water supply at the cost of K484,524.

Water has been a problem for many years and the University Administration under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Professor Aisak Pue has made it a priority to have the problem fixed before the end of this year.

Thanking New Britain Drillers, Professor Pue said he trusted they would do the job effectively. 

Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor Planning and Development Dr Francis Essacu expressed concerns that water is a huge problem for the campus and this must be solved with the establishment of the additional water bore.  

According to UNRE Director Planning Eric Kuk, 50% of the funding was paid to the company as advance payment. 

The contract involves drilling of a water bore that will be pumped into the storage tank to top up supply from the creek and the only bore that is currently situated at the water yard. 

“The company will ensure that the water is tested before commissioning,” said Mr Kuk.

Mr Kuk hoped that the additional bore water will boost the current water supply and if the two water bores can supply the whole campus then there is a possibility of ceasing water supply from the creek. 

He said with the increase in population and the Oil Palm production, water from the creek may be contaminated and no longer safe for consumption.  

Mr Kuk said with that in mind his office is currently working on documentation to engage a consultant company to do a feasibility study for the upgrading of the University water supply and the sewerage system.  

In the meantime, he urged staff and students to use water wisely. 

He explained that the shortage of water faced currently is due to continuous rain that has filled the dam with debris affecting the water supply. 

The University’s Estate Services section has engaged casuals to clear up the debris.  

Popular posts from this blog

Aipa represents PNG at Global Sustainable Islands Summit

-
Image
Shirleyna Aipa from PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment was the only participant from Papua New Guinea at last month's Global Sustainable Islands Summit in Canada. Miss Aipa, is a tutor with the University’s Agriculture Department. She holds a Bachelor in Tropical Agriculture from PNG UNRE and is currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Agriculture at the PNG University of Technology in Lae.  The summit she attended was held from May 21 to May 23 on Prince Edward Island in Canada.  Miss Aipa applied for the six-week online training on Best-Practice Skills for Sustainable Development in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) before being successful as one of 10 students selected worldwide to participate in the Summit. She said the summit was attended by professionals from across the globe, many of whom were unfamiliar with PNG. She felt privileged to share information about PNG, PNG UNRE, and PNG University of Technology. The summit served as a platform for knowle
Read more

PNG UNRE to offer five new undergraduate programs

-
Image
Professor Dan Orcherton. PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment through the School of Environment and Climate Change will begin offering five new undergraduate programs in 2021. The five programs are: Degree in Environment and Climate Change; and Advanced Diploma in Environmental Health under the Department of Climate Change, Health and Development; and Degree in Renewable Energy and Environmental Engineering; Advanced Diploma in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation; and Advanced Diploma in Environmental Engineering under the Department of Environmental Engineering. The School of Environment and Climate Change (SECC) will establish its other two departments – Department of GeoSciences and Geohazards and Department of Environmental Law - and their academic programs in the near future. For now though, SECC has been marketing its new programs to students in secondary schools in the province.  The first awareness session was conducted at Kerevat National High School on Wed
Read more

Former SRC leader excels in workplace

-
Image
THE leadership role he performed while studying at PNG UNRE has unlocked his potential to lead and drive the research team to all NBPOL sites. Mr Paulus Kikitam, a graduate of PNG UNRE, now a Research Supervisor (Precision Agriculture) under New Britain Palm Oil Limited’s Technical Services Division at Dami Research Station, West New Britain Province.  His main duties are to supervise and undertake duties associated with one or more oil palm agronomy research in all NBPOL sites in PNG and Solomon Islands.  Mr Kikitam graduated with a Bachelor in Tropical Agriculture. As SRC President in 2020 he was able to lead the students well despite the challenges he faced as a leader.  He said the leadership responsibility prepared him for life after UNRE.  “Playing an important role as SRC president in 2020 improved my decision-making and time management skills. The leadership role unlocked my potential to lead and drive the research team to all NBPOL sites,” said Mr Kikitam.  He said 95% of his
Read more