NIAMEY MSGQ

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000351 SIPDIS DEPT FOR OBO/PE/DE/DMB BELINDA AUST and AF/EX PMO LAWRENCE JOHNSTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT ABLD NG SUBJECT: NIAMEY MSGQ REF: a) NIAMEY 000131 , b) 05/04/09 Aust-Wilson e-mail ¶1. (U) Post appreciates the opportunity to comment on the proposed MSGQ for Niamey as per Ref b. ¶2. (U) One of post's primary concerns for the new MSGQ is to ensure that there is a reliable electrical power source available at all times. Post appreciates that the design team has included reference to the requirement to upgrade the incoming electrical service to the compound. The current service size is operating at 80% and cannot support additional loads. In addition to adequate city power, the design plan must accommodate a generator that is capable of more than just emergency back-up power. Electrical outages in Niamey are frequent and prolonged, and given the requirement for around the clock duty by the watch standers, the MSGQ must have a reliable generator of sufficient capacity to provide prime power over an extended interval of time, as the house will always be occupied by at least one resident. Post is currently undertaking an overhaul of a 320 kw generator that will be installed in Building C to replace an existing 176 kw generator that is referenced in the design plan. Post supports the proposal of moving this 176 kw generator to the MSGQ, provided that the geQator will have sufficient capacity to meet the demand of the 30 ton DX air conditioning system and adequately cool the building in the 100 plus degree temperatures that are common during the hot season in Niamey. ¶3. (U) Post notes that the underground fuel tank associated with the Building C generator is on the northeast corner of the building (2 meters north of the building wall at the northwest corner). The proposed design actually orients the sanitary line and clean-out for the MSGQ to run directly through this underground tank. The tank has been located erroneously next to the generator building in the design plan. Although the leach field currently under construction to handle the effluent from Building C may be adequate to handle the additional flow from the MSGQ and proposed new warehouse, the separator tank series (3 tanks) were not upgraded and may require modification to handle the sewage from the new buildings before it joins the distribution box. The septic system for Buildings A and B cannot accept the additional load from the MSGQ and there are no funds available at present to upgrade that system. ¶4. (U) Post confirms that the water service will need to be upgraded from the service entrance at the west CAC to meet requirements for the MSGQ. The submittals show that the new water connection for the MSGQ taps into the line coming from the well pump. This well pump is not operational and the water line between the pump station and Building C is not in use and may need to be upgraded or modified. Water service can be extended from Building C, but the incoming service needs to be upgraded to provide an adequate water supply to both Building C and the MSGQ. ¶5. (U) The MSG Detachment Commander has conferred with his command and has now determined that the MSGQ requires only 6 bedrooms on level two. The space allocated in the design plan to the seventh bedroom, should be redistributed across the six bedrooms to increase the living space available in each unit. The large open room at the end of the hall should remain a flex room as per the draft design plan. ¶6. (U) Although the storm water drainage system was highlighted as an issue of concern during the OBO Team Site Survey, the draft design plan does not address how this will be handled. During the rainy season the existing storm water drain located between the vehicle shops and the proposed MSGQ cannot handle the runoff. The vehicle shops flood during periods of heavy rain as the existing storm drain and tank are not adequate for the runoff. Construction of the MSGQ and the subsequent reduction in open ground for rain absorption will aggravate this problem which must be addressed with adequate capacity to divert the runoff from the roof of the building during periods of heavy rain. ¶7. (U) Per Ref b, post would like to reiterate the request for an exception to the Standard Embassy Design MSGQ. Post does not support construction of a basketball court and requests that funds allocated for recreational facilities be diverted toward construction of a swimming pool. As detailed in Ref b, a swimming pool would meet recreational needs in this desert climate and also serve as an emergency water source for the Embassy compound. Post does not support postponing construction to a future date when the project will need to compete for funding. Embassy Niamey, with strong support from the Ambassador, requests that this option be revisited, with a view towards accommodating construction of a pool without a cabana. Post could then pursue funding of a cabana at a future date. ¶8. (U) Please confirm that no elevator will be required in this building to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. As part of the 2010 refurbishment project, an elevator is being installed in the Chancery (Building A) to meet ADA requirements. ¶9. (U) Post thanks OBO for seeking input on the draft design plan and looks forward to working with the Department on this project. ALLEN