Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Inauguration of Kali Dendeng Drinking Water Supply System in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara Province, December 6, 2023

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Assalamuálaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good afternoon,

May peace be upon us all,

Shalom.

Distinguished Minister of Public Works and Public Housing and the Director General,

Distinguished Governor of East Nusa Tenggara, Mayor of Kupang, and the administration,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In East Nusa Tenggara, water has always been an issue during the dry season, be it for domestic needs or agricultural needs. Today, we are inaugurating Kali Dendeng drinking water supply system (SPAM) in the city of Kupang.

The supply can be used for 15,000 household connections, but it has only been used for approximately 3,000 household connections, meaning there are still a lot of untapped potentials.

To that end, I order Minister of Public Works [and Public Housing] as part of the Central Government to help connect households to the system so the work can be completed soon. It should be the responsibility of the local governments; that of the city government, the provincial government, and the regional drinking water company (PDAM). However, the Central Government will help East Nusa Tenggara. The Central Government will help Kupang.

The construction began in 2020 and used a budget of Rp173 billion. This is a huge number. No applause? Rp173 billion. Thus, it will provide water security. Drinking water in the city of Kupang and its surrounding area can be supplied by Kali Dendeng SPAM.

Related to agriculture, we have been building seven dams. Some have been completed, some others are due to be completed in 2024. They will bring extraordinary benefits for production, for the productivity of rice fields in East Nusa Tenggara.

That concludes my remarks.

By praying for the blessing and grace of the God Almighty, this afternoon I officially inaugurate Kali Dendeng drinking water supply system in Kupang city, East Nusa Tenggara province.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

May God bless us all.

I thank you.

(DH/EP)