Provincial Government Prioritizes Bridge Reconstruction Damaged Due To Semeru Cold Lava

East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa together with Lumajang Regent Thoriqul Haq reviewed a number of infrastructure damaged by the Semeru cold lava flood, Sunday (9/7/2023). (ANTARA/HO-Diskominfo Lumajang)

LUMAJANG - The government will prioritize the reconstruction of a number of bridges that were damaged and cut off due to the cold lava flood of Mount Semeru.

"Public facilities and infrastructure have an impact on community mobility. Therefore, reconstruction must be carried out immediately," said East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa while inspecting a number of damaged bridges in Lumajang, Sunday, July 9.

Khofifah said the government was not waiting for the emergency response period to be completed because matters related to population connectivity and mobility had to be reconstructed immediately.

"The Kaliglidik II Bridge is estimated that tomorrow the work will begin by the PUPR Ministry team with a PUPR budget," he said.

Then the Kaliregoyo and Kloposawit bridges will be carried out by the East Java Provincial Government. The rest, from BNPB will be carried out by the Lumajang Regency Government.

"There are several points including small-scale bridges that will also be carried out by the East Java Provincial Government," he said.

Khofifah advised that logistics should continue to be communicated between the district government and the village government, so that all points can be met.

He explained that regarding the number of volunteers who could help distribute logistics, he considered it important because it could provide accelerated services to the community.

"There are several logistical needs that must be met. So, it is necessary to be both proactive and cooperative with all parties because basically logistics, our health services are sufficient and public kitchens exist," he said.

Khofifah also handed over compensation to the heirs of landslide victims in Pronojiwo District as many as 3 people, and handed over 80 food packages for affected families.

The former Minister of Social Affairs also reviewed several points of damage after the Semeru cold lava flood disaster and landslides that occurred in the Lumajang Regency area.