Falklands : Falklands are "Go" for Demining
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 13.10.2009 (Article Archived on 27.10.2009)
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) ihas announced that BACTEC International Limited has been chosen to carry out the Falkland Islands de-mining project.
FALKLANDS ARE “GO” FOR DEMINING
By J. Brock (FINN)
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) ihas announced that BACTEC International Limited has been chosen to carry out the Falkland Islands de-mining project.
After a rigorous procurement process which included three other strong bidders the British company was selected. BACTEC has experience of working in over 40 countries and has a strong track record in safety. Their management team are familiar with the Falkland Islands, having been deployed here previously. The contract was signed on Friday 9 October at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
BACTEC’s team is expected to arrive in late October and clearance of four sites at Surf Bay, Sapper Hill, Goose Green and Fox Bay (East) is likely to start in November.
The project is expected to conclude by the end of the austral summer. Their team of 36 Zimbabwean de-miners have all worked for BACTEC on a number of mine clearance projects, most recently in Lebanon. Project Manager, Roger Gagen, and his Operating Manager, Kevin Bryant, both of whom have served in the Falkland Islands as part of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) detachment, will run the project from offices in Stanley.
DPO (De-mining Project Office), already established at Tenacres, located south of Stanley, will exercise quality control over BACTEC’s de-mining activities to ensure that they meet the standards required.
Various jobs in support of the project will be advertised locally. Both BACTEC and the DPO will also rely on the support of local companies for accommodation and supplies.
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