"I will visit the site soon. I also heard from residents who have complained about the Rorotan RDF, it must be resolved," Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung remarked on Monday.
He explained the odor problem originated from the leachate, a liquid formed when rainwater accumulates on garbage piles and spreads during transport by garbage trucks.
"I acknowledge the problem lies in the transportation and the waste. The waste at the Rorotan RDF should be no more than 2-5 days old. Yesterday, the trucks transporting the leachate scattered it and caused the odor," he remarked.
After conducting trials, he stated there were no problems with the waste processing system at the Rorotan RDF.
Meanwhile, Wahyu Andre Maryono, Coordinator of the Residents' Forum and Head of Neighborhood (RT) 18 Cakung Timur (Shinano, Mahakam & Savoy JGC), conveyed that the Rorotan RDF trial operation has caused an unpleasant odor in the surrounding area.
According to him, this odor is caused by waste loading and unloading activities that failed to follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including not using closed compactor trucks to transport all waste to the Rorotan RDF plant.
"This situation causes the waste to spill, and more concerningly, leachate spills along the BKT irrigation road, which is located very close to residential areas," Maryono continued.
Another complaint also concerns the health problems experienced by approximately 20 children in the housing complex surrounding the Rorotan RDF facility.
Most of the children are experiencing eye problems and Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI), suspected to be the result of the Rorotan RDF facility's trial phase.
Therefore, residents demand that the Rorotan RDF management improve the facilities and waste management procedures.
If the request goes unaddressed, residents are demanding the cessation of the Rorotan RDF plant.
"Residents plan to hold a second demonstration on November 10, demanding that the RDF be closed and urging the governor to re-evaluate its operation," Maryono emphasized.
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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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