Thirteen Reservoirs to Begin Construction Next Year

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The government said from 49 reservoirs planned to be built in 2015-2019, 13 reservoirs will begin next year. President Joko Widodo said the government initially intended to build 30 reservoirs, but finally decided to construct 49 in light of rising demand from the country's provinces. 

The president said the constructino of the reservoirs could not be delayed so as to achieve next year's food sufficiency target. He added almost all strategic food commodities are obtained through import. The president hoped the improved irrigation for a million-hectare land would help the country meet food sufficiency in three years. “At least no more importing rice.”

The president reiterated that his administration had set four top priorities: food sovereignty, energy sovereignty, maritime and tourism and industries. “The key is public policy,” said Jokowi.

Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said from 13 reservoirs planned for next year the contracts for five reservoirs had been signed. The five reservoirs are Keureuto Reservoir in Aceh, Karian Reservoir in Banten, Logung Reservoir in Kudus, Lotak Reservoir in North Sulawesi and Raknamo Reservoir in East Nusa Tenggara.

Basuki said the total budget for the development of those 13 reservoirs amounted to Rp9 trillion, and that the construction would take about three to four years. The minister said the first reservoirs to be built are Raknamo in East Nusa Tenggara and Logung in Kudus as the land acquisitions for those two reservoirs have been completed.

Basuki said he had coordinated with Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya to accelerate the land acquisitions.

ANGGA SUKMA WIJAYA | ALI HIDAYAT