Gov’t to Rebuild Schools and Markets in the Wake of Earthquake

President Jokowi listens to complaints from displaced residents of earthquake disaster, North Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, Tuesday (14/8). (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, on the second day of his working visit on Tuesday (14/8), visited a number of evacuation centers for earthquake affected victims in North Lombok Regency.

After inspecting Tanjung Hospital and Tanjung Market buildings that were damaged because of the quake-hit, the President and his entourage visited the evacuation center at the courtyard of Pemenang Police Station, Pemenang Sub-district, North Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province. At that location, according to the data collected, 3,662 displaced residents receive assistance while waiting their houses to be renovated; which renovation backed by the Central Government.

A number of displaced residents were also able to express their complaints directly to the President concerning teaching and learning activities of their children which must stop because of this disaster. In this regard, President Jokowi said that he already instructed the relevant parties to start rebuilding schools that collapsed after the earthquake struck.

“The school rebuilding will be managed by Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, but it does take time because the school collapsed. Let us pray to God so that we can deal with this situation,” the President said and added the Government has budgeted Rp50 million for each head of household whose house have been severely damaged and Rp25 million for moderate damaged houses.

Furthermore, starting next week the Government will also rebuild the collapsed markets. The rebuilding is expected to revive local economy.

“The rebuilding using earthquake-resistant technology will be supervised by the Governor and will be given guidance by Minister of Public Works and Public Housing,” the President said.

Also accompanying the President on the occasion were Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, Chief of the Indonesian National Police General Tito Karnavian, Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Force (TNI) Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Willem Rampangilei, and West Nusa Tenggara Governor Muhammad Zainul Majdi. (BPMI Setpres/ES) (GWH/MMB/Naster)