Remarks of President of the Republic Indonesia at Inauguration of Nipa-nipa Regulation Pond, 18 March 2021 in Maros Regency, South Sulawesi Province

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Honorable Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet

Honorable Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia,

Honorable Speaker and Members of the Regional Representatives Council of the Republic of Indonesia,

Honorable Acting Governor of South Sulawesi, Regent of Gowa, Regent of Maros, and Mayor of Makassar,

Honorable Religious leaders and Community leaders,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Recently, Acting Governor of Sulawesi requested a lot of things for the development in the province. In the meantime, we just have inaugurated Tana Toraja airport which used a budget of almost Rp1 trillion. There are also some reservoirs in South Sulawesi that might be officially inaugurated this year.

Today, alhamdulillah we officially inaugurate and operate the pond because it has been completed for five years. This pond functions to manage water, especially floods in Makassar city. So, this pond is administratively located in three areas, namely Maros regency, Makassar city, and Gowa regency. But many of its functions are for Makassar city.

Nipa-nipa Regulation Pond used a budget of Rp320 billion, including 83 hectares of area. It is an enormous pond which is similar to the reservoir and the landfill capacity is 2.7 million cubic meters. Thus, this pond can reduce flooding by approximately 45 percent.

It is very functional although there will be other regulation ponds that must be built, especially in the river flow area of Tallo so that Makassar city is expected to be free from flooding, free from overflow water on Tallo river because the water now is regulated and controlled by the Nipa-nipa Regulation Pond.

We all hope that this infrastructure can be effectively utilized to speed up construction progress in the province. We have a lot to complete.  As Acting Governor said, Makassar New Port is vital. It will become a hub in eastern Indonesia. I will order Minister of Transportation to finish it so that the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises can operate it immediately.

And that concludes my statement on this auspicious occasion.

By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this afternoon I officially inaugurate Nipa-nipa Regulation Pond

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. (AP/MEP)