Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia During Inauguration of the Lolak Dam in Bolaang Mongondow Regency, North Sulawesi Province, February 23, 2024

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
So, regarding the Lolak Dam in Bolaang Mongondow, it comes with a budget of Rp2.02 trillion. Nonetheless, in the future it will bring benefits for North Sulawesi province, particularly in rice field irrigation. As I have mentioned earlier, it has the capacity to irrigate 2,200 hectares [of land] and holds 16 million cubic meters of water. It is a considerable volume. Moreover, it serves as a vital raw water source for residents in Bolaang Mongondow and could potentially supplement Manado in times of severe water scarcity.

Journalist
When is the implementation of the raw water utilization scheduled to begin?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Well, if the current supply is deemed insufficient for the community’s needs, the dam will serve as a backup source of raw water. As long as people can access what they require from the existing supply, there should be no issue.

Journalist
Sir, what about the construction of the Sawangan Dam in Manado city, since [Sawangan River] had also contributed to the flash flood in 2014? Is there a plan to construct another dam in North Sulawesi?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Currently, the flooding has decreased thanks to the construction of the Kuwil Dam. The frequency of floods in Manado has significantly decreased, but  still needs to construct another dam. This project is still in the assessment and design phases. The Kuwil Dam plays a crucial role in mitigating floods in Manado, effectively controlling the annual inundations.

Journalist
Mr. President, what are your expectations for the utilization of the Lolak Dam, particularly considering its significance as a hub for rice agricultural production in North Sulawesi?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Well, we expect an increase in rice productivity in Bolaang Mongondow. However, it’s important not to limit our perspective to North Sulawesi alone. Any surplus can be distributed to other provinces facing deficits in rice production. We must approach this from a macro perspective for Indonesia as a whole.

Journalist
Lastly, sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
As I have mentioned earlier, we have significantly fewer dams compared to other countries. For instance, Korea has 20 thousand dams, China has 98 thousand dams, and we have 292 dams. Therefore, future Government must prioritize water and energy management as food and energy resources will become increasingly crucial and contested globally.

Journalist
Thank you, sir.

(RIF/MMB)