PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono highlighted water availability as the key to development in NTT that receives lesser rainfall as compared to the other regions.
"The dam development work must also be followed by the construction of irrigation network. Hence, the dam, built at a huge cost, can be beneficial, as the water will flow into the farmers' rice fields,” the minister stated here on Tuesday.
Currently, the construction of Manikin Dam is being expedited to fulfill the agricultural irrigation requirements of the community in Kupang.
The dam construction work began in 2019 through two work packages, worth Rp2 trillion. The construction work for package I until January 31, 2021, had reached 19-percent completion. The project is being handled by contractor PT Wijaya Karya (Persero) Tbk, PT Adhi Karya (Persero) Tbk, and PT Jaya Konstruksi (KSO), with a contract value of Rp1.02 trillion.
Related news: Ministry targets to complete four dams construction in December
Meanwhile, the package II, worth Rp905.2 billion, is being handled by contractor PT PP (Persero) Tbk, PT Ashfri Putralora, and PT Minarta Dutahutama (KSO), with a physical progress of 26.46 percent, or 25.2 percent faster than planned.
The dam is projected to supply water to meet the agricultural irrigation requirements for 310 hectares in Kupang.
Furthermore, it can be used to pump raw water at a rate of 700 liters per second for Kupang City and Kupang District, for the 0.125-MW Microhydro Power Plant (PLTMH), for flood control in Manikin, and for tourism-related purposes.
In addition to Manikin Dam, four other dams are being built in NTT Province: Napun Gete in Sikka District, with the construction work having reached 98-percent completion; Temef Dam in South Central Timor District; Mbay Dam in Nagekeo District; and Welekis in Belu District. Related news: Ministry readies Rp1.4 trillion to construct dam in next capital city
Translator: Aji Cakti, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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