"We hope this project would be finished soon. It was initially planned to be completed by the end of 2018, but after our discussion, it could possibly be completed by the middle of next year," he told newsmen after visiting the project in the sub-district of Galang.
In a press release received here from the head of Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat, Bey Machmudin, the president explained that Waduk Sei Gong was built as a water reservoir for Galang as well as Rempang sub-district and mainly Batam city.
"Sei Gong dam, measuring 355 hectares, could accommodate around 11 million cubic meters of water," he noted.
Widodo has been developing an infrastructure to support food resilience in the country.
Sei Gong dam is one of the 49 dams to be constructed under the governments five-year dam development program.
Widodo praised the speed of the development of the dam, which has been completed by 35 percent since its start early last year.
"It was just started early in 2016, but its progress has already reached 35 percent," he remarked.
Regarding the compensation, Widodo noted that the government would only pay for plants affected by the project and not the land, because it belongs to the state either under a state authority or as conservation.
"This land belongs to the authority. Some is for conservation. So I think, the compensation would only be given for plants and not lands. So do not be mistaken," he revealed.
Widodo was flanked by public works minister Basuki Hadimuljono, presidential chief staff Teten Masduki, and Riau Islands governor Nurdin Basirun. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
