President Jokowi Inaugurates Raknamo Dam in East Nusa Tenggara

President Jokowi inaugurates Raknamo Dam, Raknamo Village, Amabi Oefeto Sub-district, Kupang Regency, NTT, Tuesday (9/1) afternoon. (Photo: PR/Agung).

Having paid a working visit to Rote Island for 2 days and 1 night, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana Jokowi, inaugurated Raknamo Dam, as well as the inauguration of Wini Cross-border Post (PLBN) and the Motamasin PLBN in Raknamo Village, Amabi Oefeto Sub-district, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Tuesday (9/1) afternoon.

For the record, Rakanmo Dam has been built since 20 December 2014 with a budget of Rp760 billion. Initially, the Dam is expected to be completed within five years. However, in the groundbreaking of the Dam back then, President Jokowi requested that the construction be accelerated to four years. Since it is done day and night, the construction of Raknamo Dam can be completed than the planned schedule, that is, within three years.

“Today, all the people of Kupang, NTT, must be happy because this Raknamo Dam that we have all been waiting for long ago will soon begin the process of filling the water,” President Jokowi said when giving a speech at the inauguration of the Dam’s water filling.

The President appreciated the results of hard work day and night from the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, the Governor of NTT, and all Regents and Mayors.

Economic Welfare

According to President Jokowi, water supply has always been a main problem in NTT. “If water supply issue in any corner of NTT can be resolved, then economic prosperity will surely rise,” the President said.

Furthermore, the President mentioned that as many as 49 reservoirs or dams will be built across Indonesia. As for NTT, Governor Frans Lebu Raya requested to the President to have seven. Meanwhile, the President added that other provinces only request at least one or two.

The President reminded all that the construction of big dam takes a large amount of money. However, due to the geographical conditions of NTT and also the span of the rainy season are shorter than the summer, then the key is water. It is for this reason the Raknamo Dam must be built.

The construction of the seven dams, according to the President, is the answer to the long-term longing of NTT communities for the water source. Later, in addition to irrigating rice fields, these dams are also used for drinking water as well as for power plants that are still needed here.

President Jokowi explained that the Raknamo Dam has a capacity of 14 million cubic meters. If in full, later, the functions are first to provide raw water of 0.1 m² per second. Second, to irrigate 1,250 hectares.

“I suggest, as the dam is ready to use, make sure there is also irrigation which connect to the rice fields,” the President said while adding that he has seen not only 1, 2, 3 dams such as in Aceh Barat. The dam is there, the water is there, but the irrigation is not there. “Then, what is it for?” the President said.

The President requested that it not happen in NTT and reminded the Governor, Regents, and Mayor of shared responsibility regarding this.

Accompanying President Jokowi on the occasion include the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki, and NTT Governor Frans Lebu Raya. (FID/AGG/ES) (MUR/YM/Naster).