"The obstacles have been resolved. In principle, in carrying out this normalization, we will truly approach residents in a humane manner and will not commit evictions," Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo said here on Thursday (March 13).
During a coordination meeting with Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo and Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Minister Nusron Wahid, he emphasized the immediate need to normalize the Ciliwung River bank in mitigating the recurring floods in the Greater Jakarta area.
In the medium term, Pramono said both ministers would provide full support to address the floods in Jakarta.
“If the normalization of the Ciliwung River can be done, then 40 percent of the potential flooding in Jakarta can be managed. Hence, it is very important to carry out the normalization,” he emphasized.
Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo drew attention to a basic study that was conducted, followed by the preparation of a technical study to carry out the normalization process.
He expressed hope that the morphology of the river would not undergo major changes.
"Hence, we can immediately work on the normalization of the Ciliwung River in stages this year until next year. Hopefully, next year, this normalization will be completed,” Dody stated.
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Meanwhile, Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Minister Nusron Wahid is ready to provide support by facilitating the acquisition of land necessary for the normalization of the Ciliwung River.
It was agreed at the meeting that land acquisition would be conducted from the Pengadegan to Rawajati areas in South Jakarta, with a total length of 11 hectares, or 16 kilometers along the Ciliwung River.
In the initial stage, Jakarta Governor Pramono will determine the location in March 2025, followed by a second public consultation.
Once the location determination is complete, it will be continued with land acquisition, aiming for completion by the end of May 2025. Thus, the normalization work of the Ciliwung River can begin in early June 2025.
"It can be carried out in early June because the land is clean and clear. Hopefully, it will run smoothly as it aims to protect the ecosystem, especially to mitigate flood in Jakarta and its surroundings,” Wahid noted.
The acquired land, which is originally used for river widening and increasing its capacity, will belong to the Jakarta Provincial Government.
"The land procurement committee is the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning, while the Jakarta Provincial Government is the one who purchases it,” Wahid added.
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Translator: Lifia Mawaddah Putri, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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