Progress of Lombok Reconstruction Has Been Significant: President Jokowi

President Jokowi inspects the acceleration of reconstruction of earthquake-resistant houses in Pengempel Indah Village, Mataram, NTB, Friday (22/3). (Photo by: Deni/PR)

Progress of the reconstruction process in quake-hit Lombok starting February until today particularly in the distribution of saving books has been significant, according to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

Nevertheless, he added, what needs to be resolved is the delay in the components of Healthy Modest Instant Houses (Risha). The President added he has also instructed his Cabinet to further accelerate rehabilitation and reconstruction process in the resort island of Lombok.

President Jokowi also called for immediate disbursement of assistance to earthquake victims as he inspected the reconstruction of earthquake-resistant houses in Mataram, provincial capital of West Nusa Tenggara province.

“As many as 160,000 out of a total of 216,000 saving books have already been distributed and the funds have been transferred,” the President said, adding that the construction of earthquake-resistant houses was constrained by limited supply of building materials.

The President has also ordered Minister of SOEs to provide light steel and cement to be directly supplied from factories.

As for the completion target, the President said that he has instructed for immediate completion of earthquake-resistant houses. “We have already transferred Rp3.5 trillion, last week we added another Rp1.6 trillion, making it a total fund of Rp5.1 trillion,” the President said, adding that the houses were proven earthquake-resistant following the earthquake on 17 March.

The President during a dialogue with residents who received an earthquake-resistant house for reconstruction program in Pengempel Indah Village, Mataram, NTB, Friday (22/3). (Photo by: Deni/PR)

Personnel of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), President Jokowi added, were also deployed to assist the residents to help accelerate the project.

As for the hosting of MotoGP race to be held at Mandalika Special Economic Zone, the President said that the MoU was already inked and the race will be held in 2021.

“We still have unfinished tasks, including upgrading the seaport, providing road access from the airport to Mandalika, and extending the airport runway. I have ordered Minister of Public Works and Public Housing and Minister of Transportation to complete the projects,” the President said, adding that the project will start this year and is expected to be completed next year.

Translated by: Muhardi

Edited by: M. Ersan Pamungkas