We hope the people living on the riverbank can have healthier and safer activities.Palembang, South Sumatra (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Thursday inaugurated a centralized domestic wastewater management system (SPALDT) project in Palembang, South Sumatra, which is considered to hold important value for the local community.
"Over the past nine years, I have inaugurated many dams, airports, toll roads, ports, and other infrastructure. But this is the first time in nine years that I have inaugurated a centralized domestic wastewater management system," he observed after inaugurating the facility.
The President was accompanied by Palembang acting mayor Ratu Dewa.
He said that the centralized domestic wastewater management system is important for improving public health as well as environmental quality.
"We know that the Musi River is very important for the people of South Sumatra province, especially Palembang city. However, we also know that the river is being used for people to bathe and support other household activities, even though the Musi River is already polluted with waste, which can endanger people's health conditions," he noted.
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A wastewater management system is important to reduce pollution in the Musi River, which could endanger public health and reduce environmental quality in Palembang, Widodo said.
"I support the operation of this wastewater management system. This is the result of our cooperation with the Australian government," he added.
He informed that the facility was built with a budget of Rp1.32 trillion, with the Australian government contributing Rp690 billion, the central government Rp624 billion, and the regional government Rp24 billion.
The President also expressed his gratitude to the Australian government for supporting the project for the community.
"Now, it has only reached 10 percent of Palembang's population; in the future, it can continue to clean the Musi River and make it more beautiful. We hope the people living on the riverbank can have healthier and safer activities," he said.
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Translator: M. Imam Pramana, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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