SINGAPORE: Maintenance works for the Bishan portal sump pump system were not properly carried out since December last year, SMRT investigations into a train tunnel flooding incident have found.

Preliminary investigations show that quarterly maintenance works for Dec 2016, March and June this year were not conducted as prescribed in SMRT’s manual, the train operator said in a news release on Tuesday (Oct 31). 

Maintenance records were duly signed off and submitted. However, SMRT investigation showed that there were no track access approvals issued for preventive maintenance of the Bishan portal sump pumps for the maintenance dates.

Pump records for the same dates show that the pumps were not activated on those days, which would have been required as part of the maintenance procedure had the work been done.

The manager and staff responsible for the maintenance of the Bishan portal sump pump system have been suspended and are assisting in the investigations.

“We will be working with the Union to ensure due process is followed,” SMRT said. “Integrity and responsibility by our managers and supervisors are key, and constitute part of our core values. We are determined to correct these weak links swiftly and decisively and are implementing a series of measures to do so.” 

In addition to intensifying training among employees, the train operator will be making changes to the management and maintenance team, as well as setting up a Joint Readiness Inspection team that will supplement report to SMRT’s own audit system and will independently report to a SMRT Board’s Audit and Risk Committee.

This inspection team will also report to the LTA/SMRT Joint Board Technical Committee. 

“This will ensure that maintenance and asset renewal are independently audited and monitored in a systematic manner,” SMRT said.

SMRT will also engage experts to help step up quality control surveillance of all preventive maintenance activities and conduct a system-wide inspection of critical systems to “ensure that maintenance works are carried out in accordance with our specified standards”.

SMRT Chairman Seah Moon Ming said: “SMRT has zero tolerance for failures in supervision and diligence over maintenance tasks. We do not condone any acts of dishonesty and dereliction of responsibility, whether by management or staff. All who are accountable will be disciplined sternly, regardless of rank and position. Accordingly, the relevant management chain of command in SMRT must be held accountable.”

After a torrential downpour on Saturday (Oct 7), a section of the North-South Line between Braddell and Bishan MRT stations was flooded.

Train services were disrupted for more than 20 hours, which affected more than a quarter of a million commuters.

SMRT had announced earlier that more flood prevention measures would be carried out to prevent similar incidents in future.

SINGAPORE: Despite the overcast skies and slight drizzle, it was a grand and solemn occasion.

It was Tuesday morning (Oct 31) at the Istana, and the ceremonial welcome for Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, was about to begin.

President Halimah Yacob and her husband, Mr Mohamed Abdullah Alhabshee, were waiting with warm smiles to greet their royal guests as they emerged from the car – he dressed in a navy blue pinstriped suit, and her in a mint green dress. Both also sported red poppy remembrance pins, which are traditionally worn in November to remember those who have fought in war.  

The couple, who arrived in Singapore on Monday (Oct 30), are on a four-day visit to Singapore. On Monday, they visited local athletes participating in the Queen’s Baton Relay, which is travelling around the world ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games. 

With firm handshakes all round, it was now time for the formalities to properly begin. President Halimah and Prince Charles mounted the dais at the Istana’s ceremonial plaza as the assembled military band struck up the National Anthem. And as the band launched into a stirring tune, the Prince then inspected the Guard of Honour contingent lined up on the plaza. 

It was then time to head indoors, where the royal couple had a meeting with President Halimah. They were also welcomed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife, Mdm Ho Ching, and sat down to tea with them. 

Following his visit to the Istana, the pair then went to the Cenotaph, a war memorial in Esplanade Park that honours the men who died in World War I and II. But while it was a solemn event, many had lined up along the barricades set up along the perimeter, hoping to catch a glimpse of the couple.

The sound of bagpipe music was in the air as the Prince and his wife arrived in their car and were greeted by UK Defence Adviser Martin Moore and his wife. As the Duchess and Mrs Moore waited at the foot of the Cenotaph, the Prince mounted the ten steps to lay a wreath. They then observed a minute of silence. 

But the cameras were whipped out again as the royal couple were introduced to the serving and war veterans of Singapore and the Commonwealth. Dressed formally in suits and uniforms, some sporting berets, these veterans were lined up along the perimeter of the war memorial, waiting for a chance to meet the pair and the couple spent some time making their way down the line to chat and shake hands.  

The public, lined up behind the barricades, were also not disappointed. Before departing, the Prince and his wife took the time for a quick meet and greet. Mobile phones were lifted in the air as members of the public tried to snap quick selfies with the couple, while groups of young students – from various international schools like Tanglin Trust – waved enthusiastically at the couple. The Duchess, in particular, made it a point to greet them with a warm smile and a wave, before asking them what they were doing there.

SINGAPORE: The Government is conducting a second round of public consultation on the draft Carbon Pricing Bill, which sets out a framework for implementing the carbon tax, including the measurement, reporting and verification requirements.

The carbon tax will be applied “upstream” on large direct emitters, defined as those that emit 25,000 or more tonnes of greenhouse gases annually. This amount is equivalent to emissions produced by the annual electricity consumption of 12,500 four-room HDB households.

It is expected to affect between 30 and 40 emitters operating in Singapore, including power stations.

Under the proposed bill released for public consultation on Tuesday (Oct 31), the Government is looking at a tax rate of between S$10 and S$20 per tonne of greenhouse gas emissions from 2019.

These plans were first announced by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat in his Budget speech this year, and are part of a suite of measures that will help Singapore meet its commitments under the Paris climate change agreement.

HOW WILL THE CARBON TAX WORK?

In its public consultation paper, which can be accessed on the REACH website, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) said that the carbon tax will take the form of a “fixed-price credits-based mechanism”.

This means that the affected facilities will pay the tax by buying and surrendering carbon credits corresponding to their greenhouse gas emissions, rather than through direct payment.

The carbon credits will be issued by the National Environment Agency (NEA), and the price level for the credits will be determined closer to the date of implementation.

The carbon tax will be levied on a facility’s total emissions of the six greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride.

As for the monitoring and reporting of emissions, facilities have to submit a monitoring plan according to NEA’s guidelines by Dec 31 each year. Their annual report on total emissions, which must be independently verified by a qualified third party, should be submitted by Jun 30.

Taxes have to be paid by Sep 30 every year.

Under the draft bill, there will be associated penalties for non-compliance, such as fraudulent reporting in the verifiable emissions report, late payment of tax or tax evasion.

Taking reference from legislation in other economies, if an entity fails to pay the tax, it can be fined triple the amount of outstanding tax. Those who intentionally provide an inaccurate emissions report can also be jailed for up to three years.

Revenue from the carbon tax will help to fund measures by industries to reduce emissions, said the National Climate Change Secretariat Strategy Group (NCCS) which comes under the Prime Minister’s Office.

WILL THIS AFFECT HOUSEHOLDS?

While the tax will not apply to households, residents may see a trickle-down effect through a rise in electricity tariffs.

NCCS had said earlier this year that for the average household living in a four-room flat which pays around S$72 per month in electricity bills, the carbon tax translates to an increase of S$1.70 to S$3.30 per month.

The Finance Minister had also said that such a tax system would be “modest” on most businesses and households. The idea is to hit large industrial energy users and change mindsets on harmful emissions, said experts who spoke to Channel NewsAsia.

The NCCS said that the carbon tax will stimulate clean technology and market innovation, and create a price signal to incentivise industries to reduce their emissions, complementing other regulatory measures.

Members of the public may view the draft bill on the REACH website from Oct 31 to Dec 8 and submit their feedback to the ministry.