Despite rain over the past week, Japanese engineers from Sekisui company have been working on these sewage pipes in Ho Chi Minh City’s district 1. They are testing the Sewage Pipe Renewal method, or SPR, for the first time in Vietnam. This project is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, or JICA.
Mr Hosokawa, an Engineer of Sekisui Company said to VTV: "Sewage pipes in Vietnam were built a long time ago. Their quality has already deteriorated. Maintenance and repair is not easy. However, thanks new technology, we have managed to repair them. Though it was hard, if I was chosen to work here again, I would love to come back".
Sewage pipe repair has long been an issue for Vietnam. But now, thanks to the SPR method, the job can be done without destroying the road or displacing cables. It also helps save time and costs.
Otherwise, Mr Do Tan Long, an Employee from HCMC Flood Control Operating Center said: "This method takes very little time. Our last project took just 1 and a half days. No road was dug up, so everything was clean. We relaid the drain, pumped mortar using high pressure, repaired the old pipes, and connected them with new ones"
Through the Japanese government’s assistance programs in Vietnam, Japanese companies can use advanced technology to contribute to urban development in the country.
"The strength of this method is that repair can be done while the pipes are still operating. There is no discontinuity. We chose to work here because Vietnam and Japan are close partners. Through this project, we hope to contribute to Vietnam’s infrastructure", said Mr Makoto Nando, Asia Director of Sekisui Company.
From 1994 until now, Japan’s ODA to Vietnam has reached 884.5 billion yen for transportation and urban infrastructure in the country. Through such projects, Vietnam can learn about new technology as well as urban planning and management on its journey toward sustainable growth.
