Trenggalek (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo has set target for the completion of work to build the Tugu dam in East Java in 2017.

"I want to check progress made in the construction of the dam, which started this year," the president said when inspecting the implementation of the project on Tuesday.

He expressed satisfaction with progress although only 15 percent of work had been completed.

He said the district head and the ministry concerned should find solution to any problem in land clearing.

The dam will guarantee irrigation for 1,200 hectares of rice fields and drinking water supply in the district. It will also be used to generate electricity, he said.

Amir Hamzah of the district office of the public works and housing ministry said land clearing already reached 104 hectares.

Process of land clearing also required conversion of the function of 18 hectares of protected forests of the state owned forestry company Perhutani, Amir Hamzah said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015