VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNM #0351/01 1351135
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 151135Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5030 UNCLAS NIAMEY 000351 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR OBO/PE/DE/DMB BELINDA AUST and AF/EX PMO LAWRENCE JOHNSTON 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS:      
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