"Suggestions from geologists, especially those living in East Kalimantan, must be taken into account during the construction of the new capital city," North Penajam Paser Regional Secretariat's Development Department Head, Nicko Herlambang, stated in Penajam on Thursday.
Herlambang reminded that Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono had earlier instructed officials to mitigate the risk of landslide at the construction site of a dam in Sepaku Sub-district.
The minister also highlighted the criticality of drainage arrangement and construction quality, with the need for on-site consultants to be firm in supervising the progress in construction.
To follow up on the minister's instruction, the authority had tasked a geological body to perform geological mapping and sampling in Sepaku Sub-district, the department head revealed.
"The mapping and sampling process concludes with the completion of regional maps that could help us determine which areas are ideal for the construction or which areas must be avoided. We are optimistic that construction planners and workers would pay attention to the geologic factors and risks during construction," Herlambang remarked.
Geologic risk assessment is essential to determine geologic conditions for planning mitigation methods, as the ideal location is not possible, and different regions encountered different geologic challenges, he pointed out.
Speaking in connection with the assessment at the dam construction site in Sepaku, Herlambang said the assessment found that the area had low geologic risk factors that might cause a large-scale landslide.
Despite the low geologic risk, the construction work must be conducted through a careful approach with full consideration given to soil conditions at the site, the department head noted.
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Translator: Novi A/Bagus P, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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