"Study is still in process. There has been no conclusion," Bappenas chief Bambang Brodjonegoro said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Study on Jakartas giant sea wall project called National Capital Integrated Coastal Development (NCICD) will be wrapped up next month, the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) said here on Wednesday.

"Study is still in process. There has been no conclusion," Bappenas chief Bambang Brodjonegoro said, adding the result of the study would be reported to the president.

Construction of the project will be carried out in three phases . Phase A is to strengthen the system of the sea and river wall already existing . Construction of this phase is to be completed in 2017.

Work in Phase B is to start in 2018 building offshore walls in the western side of the Jakarta bay to be completed in 2025.

Construction of project in Phase C is to start after 2025 building sea walls offshore eastern side of the Jakarta bay.

The plan is there will be reclamation and construction of 17 islands in the Phases B and C, Bambang, who is also Minister of National Development Planning, said.

The study by Bappenas is important as it will determine the designs and distance between the man made islands from the land, he said.

The developers are required to prepare environmental license by considering the existence of the sea walls, he added.

However, island reclamation is not the focus of attention, but the need to build the giant sea walls as sea water intrusion already reached the National Monument (Monas) in the center of the capital city, he said.

"In Monas, salted water is already mixed with fresh ground water. It would be very dangerous for Jakarta in the future, especially with the climate change. The waves would be higher, and there would be more rob flooding in North Jakarta. Therefore, the giant sea wall is vital," he said.

Bambang said apart from preventing rob flooding and sea water intrusion , the sea walls are expected to result in improvement in the quality of groundwater in Jakarta.

"Concrete wall would be built round the Jakarta bay . The water that flows toward the land could provide a new source of clean water for us, helping Jakarta in drinking water supply," he said.

When asked about statement of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Natural Resources Luhut Panjaitan that Jakarta bay reclamation projects could be continued, Bambang said "I dont know if he has other sources.

Bappenas is concerned with studying the importance of the giant sea wall project for Jakarta, he said.

Reclamation is already in progress in the Jakarta bay building 17 man made islets by big property companies.

Luhuts predecessor Rizal Ramli ordered to stop work in the project but Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) disputed the decision resulting in moratorium.

The statement by Luhut that work could continue to build the Jakarta reclamation project drew strong protest from a group of people including students and fishermen.

Defending the project, Ahok has said the reclamation project is the answer to Jakarta bays pollution problem as the mega project would help restore contaminated water and fix the environment of the capitals coastal areas.

The city administration had discussed the projects with the director general for coastal and small islands at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, Ahok claimed.

From the 17 planned small islands, eight have already acquired permits and began construction.

Ahoks statement is in contrast with environmental experts and activists who believe that the reclamation project threatens the Jakarta Bay environment.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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