President Jokowi Inaugurates Napun Gete Dam in E. Nusa Tenggara
President Jokowi accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, and Governor of East Nusa Tenggara Viktor Laiskodat inaugurates Napun Gete Dam, in Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Tuesday (23/2). (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat PR/ Muchlis Jr)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, on Tuesday (22/3), inaugurated Napun Gete Dam, in Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. Napun Gete Dam is part of the Government’s development project to build seven dams in East Nusa Tenggara Province. Previously, the President had inaugurated Raknamo Dam located in Kupang Regency back in 2018, and Rotiklot Dam located in Belu Regency in 2019.
“It is a huge leap. The dam must increase people’s productivity, not only the agricultural products, but also agricultural waste utilized as feeds for livestock,” President Jokowi said.
The President went on to say that the key to people’s welfare in East Nusa Tenggara is availability of water supply as requested by the local people and regional government.
“Each time I visit the Province, they always request for dam or reservoirs. This is indeed a reasonable request. If water is available, we can grow crops, fruits, anything. Afterwards, we take the fruits, and use the leaves for livestock (feed),” he explained.
According to the President, as more dams out of the total seven dams targeted by the Government are ready for operation, they will increase productivity of the people in East Nusa Tenggara.
“I am confident that competent governors and deputy governor, as well as competent regents and deputy regents who lead the people and encourage them to be more productive will soon bring prosperity to East Nusa Tenggara so that the Province will no longer fall into ‘underdeveloped region’ category,” he stated.
The President also expressed hope that the Province can support national food security.
“This is the future that we long for. Turn (food) deficit to surplus. Let me cite an example of production in Central Sumba which only has harvest time once in a year. Through the availability of water, I ordered Minister of Agriculture to bring in rice harvest twice a year, and corn harvest once a year. There are three harvest times in total. This is the leap of productivity,” the President said.
For the record, Napun Gete Dam which is constructed within four years by using the State Budget amounting to Rp880 billion can accommodate 11.22 million cubic meters of water with an inundation area of 99.78 hectares.
The dam can also irrigate 300 hectares of land, provide raw water with a capacity of 0.2 cubic meter per second, potentially provide electricity supply generated from hydropower of 0.1 megawatt, serve as flood control management in downstream area, and support the development of potential tourism areas.
Joining the President in the inauguration were, among others, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Governor of East Nusa Tenggara Viktor Laiskodat, and Regent of Sikka Fransiskus Roberto Diogo. (FID/UN) (RAS/LW)
