President Jokowi Inspects Construction of Flood Embankment in W. Kalimantan

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo inspects the construction of flood embankment in Ladang village, Sintang, West Kalimantan, Wednesday (12/08) Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr.

As part of his working visit in West Kalimantan province, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Wednesday (12/08) inspected the construction of flood embankment in Ladang village, Sintang regency, which is located in the northeastern part of the province.

“We are inspecting development of infrastructure, which is aimed at overcoming flooding. In the short term, the embankment construction consists of geotubes filled with sand. We hope it can reduce flooding in the short term,” the President said.

In the medium and long term, the President added, all heavy rainfall and overcoming damage to watersheds and catchment areas must be taken into account.

The Government, he added, will also carry out replanting, tree planting and reforestation of areas around the Kapuas river and Melawi river.

The President added Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing will also take a number of flood control measures in the middle term, including dredging lake, reconstructing drainage system in the Kapuas river and making flood control in the Kapuas river area.

In the long term, the Ministry will build the Pinoh river dam and carry out periodic maintenance of rivers and lakes in the Kapuas River area, he added.

“We will order Ministry of the Environment and Forestry and big private companies to build nurseries to support the reforestation,” the President remarked.

After inspecting the flood embankment, the Head of State also visited Sintang Medical Detachment and witnessed the handing over of humanitarian aids in the forms of mobile kitchens, inflatable boats, and cash assistance. (DND/UN) (RI/EP)