News Room

$1m for three good ideas

They are the first ideas to receive the fund for trial testing, in a move to support innovation in public services.

A $10-million fund to support innovation in the public-service sector has received 128 proposals since its March 1 launch, and is looking for more. Seventy-five per cent of the proposals made to The Enterprise Challenge (TEC) came from the public sector.

TEC chairman Tan Chin Nam, who is also permanent secretary at the Manpower Ministry, said: "We want to create a new channel to … bring the spirit of Silicon Valley into the public sector."

On Monday, TEC announced the first three ideas to receive about $1 million for trial testing: An electric vertical drain which could speed up the construction process, a digital eye to simplify traffic control, and bacteria that absorbs sewage air.

Readiness for testing was a factor in their selection. TEC is now nurturing 21 other promising ideas. Those with proposals can contact The Enterprise Challenge Unit at the PS21 Office, Prime Minister's Office, Public Service Division, #40-01 Temasek Tower, 8 Shenton Way, Singapore 068811; at 1800-3238008 or at www.gov.sg/tec

Bacteria help clean up the city's sewers

Sewers may become safer if bacteria which can absorb a noxious sewage gas are introduced. Currently, the pungent gas is treated with a combination of chemicals and activated carbon. The process is dangerous and costly - using biological organism is cheaper and safer.

Laboratory experiments at the National University of Singapore show a blend of bacteria are able to absorb hydrogen sulphide - the main component of sewage gas.

The bio-scrubber could save up to $81 million over 20 years. Spearheading the project is Aromatrix, with the Environment Ministry. About $250,000 has been set aside for the trial.

(The Straits Times, 31 May 2000)