President Jokowi Inspects Construction of Paselloreng Dam in South Sulawesi

President Jokowi inspects the construction of Paselloreng Dam, in Arajang Village, Gilireng Subdistrict, Wajo Regency, on Tuesday (3/7) (Photo: Secretariat of the President)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana inspected the contruction of Paselloreng Dam in Arajang Village, Gilireng Subdistrict, Wajo Regency, on Tuesday (3/7).

The dam is one of three new dam projects in South Sulawesi; two other dams are Karalloe in Jeneponto Regency and Pamukkulu in Takalar Regency.

“The construction of 8 dams which has been developed since 3-4 years ago will be completed this year. They are among others, Rotiklot Dam in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Tanju and Mila Dams in Sumbawa Island, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Logung Dam in Kudus, Gondang Dam in Karanganyar, Sei Gong Dam in Batam, and two other dams,” President Jokowi told the reporters after the inspection.

Paselloreng Dam has a maximum capacity of 138 million cubic meters or 9 times bigger than Raknamo Dam that has a capacity of 14 million cubic meters which was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo early 2018. The President hopes this dam can irrigate 7,000 hectares of land.

“It is a huge dam because it is built on 365 hectares of state-owned land, added 1,800 hectares of land owned by local people which will be obtained through land acquisition process,” the President added.

Appoximately 681,98 hectares out of 1,849.88 total of land, or around 36.87 percent were obtained through land acquisition. The rest of land are in the process of gradual settlement of payments for dam inundation area. The Goverment expects all land acquisition process will be completed by October 2018.

President Jokowi hopes this dam will not only provide water supply for farming but also can be source of raw water for people living in 4 subdistricts in Wajo Regency corresponding to about 305 litres per second.

The other benefit of the dam is it can serve as water resources conservation, flood control to Gilireng River, freshwater fisheries, tourism object, and as a source of energy for power generation.

To conclude his press statement, President Jokowi said that the development of dams by the government is one effort to achieve food self-sufficiency.

“That is our aim, 49 dams developed in the country aim to provide water for irrigation and farming that will lead to food self-sufficiency,” the President concluded.

Also accompanying President Jokowi and First Lady Ibu Iriana in the inspection were Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Acting Governor of South Sulawesi Sumarsono, and Regent of Wajo Regency Andi Burhanuddin Unru. (BPMI Setpres/ES) (RAS/MMB/Naster)