The Yabra Pumping Station was proudly opened on October 12, with four fancy new pumps to pull water from Belize City canals in the event of heavy rain. Well most city residents will tell you something went wrong, because the streets were still flooded with the recent rains. And 7News has confirmed that something did go wrong.
CEO in the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing Victor Espat confirms that "two of the four screw pumps are having some issues and the ministry is waiting on technical support from the manufacturers.
He notes that the entire pumping station is under the defects liability period and the actual screw pumps have not been officially accepted from the contractor until all are fully functional, so, he says, quote, "we are covered in that regard."
He notes though that "all pumps don't have to run at the same time for the station to be effective." He says that "with two pumps running we are emptying the reservoir in half hour."
In conclusion he told us, quote, "We will get it resolved and operating properly."
The MIDH has also discussed the possibility of bringing in the manufacturers to teach local engineers the internal mechanisms and components.
