Seabees complete five Pohnpei projects in 3 months

Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Unit 133, based out of Gulfport, Mississippi, completed five Civil Construction Action Detail projects on Pohnpei in three months. The projects included work at the FSMNOC swimming pool, Kolonia Elementary, Island Food Community of Pohnpei, Pohnlangas Dispensary, and Sokehs Dispensary. In addition they participated in several community outreach programs including tutoring and advising students in preparation for the ASVAB test, and reading and face painting with kids at the Pohnpei Public Library.

All of the material and labor for the projects were funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. The materials used for the project were all bought locally at the cost of $174,292.

On Jan. 7 and 8, ribbon cutting ceremonies were held at the FSMNOC swimming pool, Kolonia Elementary, and Pohnlangas Dispensary, to mark the handover of the completed projects to Pohnpei State. Gov. John Ehsa attended the handover ceremony at the Kolonia Elementary and FSMNOC swimming pool. Representatives from Pohnpei State Department of Health were on hand for the turnover ceremony at the Pohnlangas Dispensary. Turnover ceremonies for the other two projects were held in December.

An additional benefit to the CCAD project is that eight local construction workers worked with the Seabees as apprentices. The apprentices learned new skills and made new friends during the project. At the turnover ceremonies the Seabees talked about how they also learned from the apprentices and they valued the relationship.

At the FSMNOC swimming pool the Seabees built a new changing room.

The Kolonia Elementary project consisted of replacing the roof and ceiling tiles, and painting the inside and outside of the second and third grade building.

The Island Food Community of Pohnpei project involved the replacement of the roof, all electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures and painting the interior and exterior walls.

The Sokehs and Pohnlangas dispensaries had new air conditioning units installed, and the interior and exterior walls painted.

On a rotating basis each state has an opportunity to propose CCAD projects. These small civic construction projects are fully funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. In addition, there is a capacity building component, which allows local laborers to work one-on-one with the Seabees as apprentices at the construction sites. (U.S. Embassy Kolonia)