Jokowi was accompanied by First Lady Iriana and Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, along with provincial and district government officials from Ciamis and Tasikmalaya.
The inauguration of the Leuwikeris Dam, located on the border of Tasikmalaya and Ciamis Districts, was signed directly by Jokowi and marked by the installation of a replica of a kujang, a West Java weapon.
"Today, I inaugurate the Leuwikeris Dam and the modernization and rehabilitation of irrigation areas in West Java Province," he stated.
The president then highlighted the meaning of water as a source of life and also a symbol of balance and harmony.
He emphasized that if not managed properly, a disaster will occur. He stressed that without water, there would be no life and no food.
"Water is a source of life and a symbol of balance and harmony. However, if not managed properly, water can be a disaster. Without water, there is no life and food," he remarked.
The head of state emphasized the need for applying proper water management strategies since it has a valuable role in bringing benefits to life.
He stated that construction of the Leuwikeris Dam took eight years, with a budget of Rp3.5 trillion (USD219 million).
The Leuwikeris Dam has a total water reservoir of 81.44 million m3, with an inundation area of 243 hectares, which can irrigate an irrigation area of 11,200 hectares.
After the inauguration, the President and the First Lady planted trees around the Leuwikeris Dam and then headed to the next destination to inaugurate the Maternal and Child Health Service Center Building of Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung.
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Translator: Feri Purnama, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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