The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) agreed to commence a new project in accordance with a request from the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) to upgrade some of its seawater and electrical systems after its Follow-up Cooperation Study conducted earlier in February this year. On Wednesday July 27, 2016 Mr. Nobuaki Miyata, JICA Resident Representative together with the Dr. Yimnang Golbuu, Chief Executive Officer of PICRC, signed the agreement to implement the Follow-up Cooperation on the Project for the Construction of Palau International Coral Reef Center. restrict]
The purpose of the Follow-up Cooperation Project is to upgrade and restore PICRC’s facilities and equipment to ensure that the Center carries out all its functions properly. After the signing of the Scope of Work, or agreement about the Project, PICRC will work with the Follow up Cooperation Team and JICA to make a more detailed plan of the necessary upgrades, and restoration. Restoration of the facility’s equipment may begin as early as January of 2017. PICRC and JICA will work diligently to make sure to stay on the proposed timeline of the work that needs to be done.
The Follow-up Cooperation for the Project for Construction of PICRC will include replacement and upgrading of water circulation systems such as coolers, circulation pumps, filters, pipes, lighting fixtures, and restoring the emergency power generator, among other things. These upgrades will help reduce operational costs, making the Center more energy efficient and more productive. This assistance from JICA will further enhance and improve PICRC’s facilities so it can maintain its status of a Center of Excellence in research and education for Palau, the region, and around the world. [/restrict]