THE Japan International Cooperation Agency earlier this month donated two tide measuring devices to Myanmar Port Authority.

The equipment, valued at US$32,000, will be installed at two key points at Yangon and Sule ports, JICA and MPA officials said at the donation ceremony on June 9 in Yangon.

Cyclone Nargis destroyed three tide measuring machines – two at Yangon Port and one at Cape Thanletsoon in the southwestern corner of Ayeyarwady Division, said JICA country representative Mr Hidio Miamoto.

He said the two new machines would replace those that have been destroyed.
Since Nargis struck Myanmar in May 2008, MPA has relied on India for tidal data for Yangon Port and for inland water transport, said U Thein Htay, the managing director of MPA. Last September MPA asked for assistance from JICA in filling the data gap.

“These two devices will replace those destroyed by Nargis. One is to be installed at Thilawa Port and the other at Sule Point,” U Thein Htay told The Myanmar Times.

“We also a plan to install devices at Thanletsoon and Monkey Point, and at the intersection of Pazundaung Creek and the mouth of Dawbon River,” he said.

Yangon Port is Myanmar’s main port facility. Much of the port’s infrastructure as damaged or destroyed by Nargis.

At the request of MPA, a team of Japanese and Myanmar experts sponsored by JICA conducted a field survey after Nargis to determine what needed to be done to repair the port and its facilities, U Thein Htay said.

The donation of the measuring devices is part of the cooperative project between JICA and MPA aimed at rehabilitating the port. The project started in March and was expected to last for 26 months, said Mr Hidio.