Budget Deficit, Meranti Islands Regency Government Stops Construction Of Regent's Office

The Office of the Regent of Meranti Islands Regency, Jalan Dorak. (ANTARA/Rahmat Santoso/23)

The MERANTI ISLANDS - The Meranti Islands Regency Government (Pemkab), Riau, has stopped its plan to build a new Regent's Office in Sesap Village, Tebingtinggi District, because it costs a lot of Rp40 billion.

Acting Head of the Meranti Islands Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), Rahmat Kurnia, said that currently the Meranti Regency Government is experiencing a budget deficit, so it seems forced if it realizes the construction of the regent's office.

"We cancel the plan to build a new regent's office in Sesap. Because we don't have enough budget to make it happen," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, May 8.

The man who is familiarly called Aang said that in order to realize the plan to build a new regent's office, it would cost more than Rp. 40 billion more. This will automatically attract huge regional finances.

The Meranti Regency Government has carried out land acquisition in Sesap Village for its construction location. Not only that, the Detail Encoreering Design (DED) for the construction of the regent's office has also been completed.

"In fact, we have also started to build proper roads to go to the regent's office," said Aang.

Namun, setelah Bupati nonaktif Muhammad Adil ditetapkan tersangka oleh Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (KPK) beberapa waktu lalu, upaya pembatalan untuk membangun kantor bupati baru langsung dilakukan oleh Plt Bupati Meranti, AKBP (Purn) Asmar.

Previously, Asmar claimed to have evaluated all activities after the regent's leadership stick switched to him. He has postponed a number of projects that are being implemented, including the construction of a new regent's office in Sesap Village.

"If you don't have enough budget to make it happen, why are you forced to do it. There are many other interests that directly touch the community that must be prioritized," said Asmar.