East Lampung (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) highlighted on Monday that his administration has constructed and inaugurated 44 new dams across Indonesia since he took office in 2014. “This is the 44th dam we have inaugurated in the past 10 years. These infrastructures serve various functions, including providing a source of electricity,” he remarked during the inauguration of the Margatiga Dam in East Lampung District, Lampung Province.

Jokowi emphasized that the construction of these dams supports his government’s goal of ensuring adequate raw water resources for all provinces in Indonesia.

"The availability of water will mean much more for our lives in the future ... water is essential for all sectors. For that reason, it is critical for us to apply proper management of water," he emphasized.

Furthermore, the president noted that dams can also serve as a means to channel water to people's agricultural areas and help a region reduce and prevent floods.

Speaking of Margatiga Dam specifically, the head of state said that the government had allocated a budget totaling Rp846 billion (US$54.7 million) for the seven years of construction of the dam, which has a capacity of 42.31 million cubic meters of water.

"Hopefully, local residents will benefit from the presence of this dam," he said.

Under President Jokowi's leadership, the Indonesian government aims to build a total of 61 dams.

The president has inaugurated several dams, including the Cipanas Dam in West Java, Sepaku Dam in East Kalimantan, Tiu Suntuk Dam in West Nusa Tenggara, Karian Dam in Banten, Ameroro Dam in Southeast Sulawesi, and Bolaang Mongondow Dam in North Sulawesi.

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Translator: Ruth I, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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