Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Public Works and Public Housing Ministry is cooperating with the Indonesian Military (TNI) to reconstruct several public facilities that had incurred damage during riots in Wamena, Papua.

"We will cooperate with the military for handling of the disaster and border areas. We choose to collaborate with the military in rebuilding public facilities since it will be faster and more effective," Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono stated during a press conference at the President's Office in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Minister Hadimuljono, along with Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Doni Monardo and Deputy Minister of Finance Mardiasmo, met with President Joko Widodo to hold discussion on the progress achieved in terms of the impact of countermeasures for some natural disasters and challenging conditions in several regions in the country.

Based on BNPB's records on current conditions in Wamena, some 10 government-owned offices had incurred severe damage, 34 government-owned buildings suffered slight damages, and some other eight offices and 26 educational facilities were also ruined. Moreover, some 450 shop houses were burned, while damage was caused to 165 houses.

The public works and public housing ministry, with the military’s assistance, will handle the construction of housing under the rebuilding plan in Wamena that will use building materials purchased from local material stores.

"At the moment, we are beginning to clean up, and right now, the military commander, National police chief, and coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, as well as our director general are in Wamena to follow up on the rebuilding plan. Hopefully, it would be quickly implemented," Hadimuljono stated.

The Public Works and Public Housing Ministry is currently also conducting assessment of on-field construction for the suitability of building designs.

Apart from Wamena, President Joko Widodo also held discussion on plans to repair buildings in Palu City, Central Sulawesi Province, and Ambon Island, Maluku Province. Related news: Minister Wiranto, Military, Police chiefs review condition in Wamena
Related news: Air Force to return Wamena refugees home aboard Hercules aircraft

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Translator: Bayu Prasetyo, Yuni Arisandy S
Editor: Suharto
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