Water is the key.Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated the Pidekso Dam, Wonogiri District, Central Java Province, that is capable of irrigating 1,500 hectares of paddy fields in the district.
“It has a pool area of 232 hectares, with a capacity of 25 million cubic meters," the president stated in Wonogiri District on Tuesday as broadcast on the official YouTube channel of the Presidential Secretariat.
Jokowi emphasized that the construction of reservoirs is the key to achieving food independence, sovereignty, and security for Indonesian people.
“Water is the key. Hence, we are building reservoirs throughout all provinces," he stated.
Building the Pidekso Dam cost Rp772 billion that was allocated from the state budget. The dam’s land acquisition began in 2014, while the construction commenced in 2017.
In addition to irrigation, the dam also functions as a flood control and conservation area as well as a tourism destination to boost the welfare of the surrounding community.
According to Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry’s data, the dam can provide 300 liters per second of raw water and can reduce flooding by 322.60 cubic meters per second.
Before inaugurating the Pidekso Dam, Jokowi also inaugurated the Ladongi Dam in East Kolaka District, Southeast Sulawesi Province, on Tuesday morning.
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Translator: Indra Pribadi, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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