Minister Bahlil Beats The Drum, Jokowi Rows A Dragon Boat At The Ladongi Dam, Southeast Sulawesi Whose Nature Is Praised

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said the Ladongi Dam, East Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra), has the potential to be developed as a tourist destination because it is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery.

"Its beautiful nature can also be developed as a tourist spot, especially water tourism," said President Jokowi during the inauguration of the Ladongi Dam, East Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, December 28.

When he arrived at the Ladongi Dam, President Jokowi tested out the potential for natural tourism by riding a dragon boat, and also rowing with a number of ministers who accompanied him. . Meanwhile, the Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia became the drummer in charge of regulating the rhythm of the boat movement and encouraging the rowers.

"Earlier I tried to use a boat, rowing, because indeed the direction of this reservoir can also be used as a tourist spot, so this is the responsibility of the district and province for later development," said the President.

The President hopes that the local district and provincial governments can develop tourism potential in Ladongi in order to attract tourist visits.

Jokowi inaugurated the dam in a different way. He stated the inauguration of the dam with a capacity of 45.9 million cubic meters, from a dragon boat.

"By saying bismillahirahmanirahim, the Ladongi Dam in East Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province, this morning, I declare that it has been inaugurated," said the President.

Ladongi Dam has a capacity of 45.9 million cubic meters with a land area of 222 hectares. For the irrigation function, the Ladongi Dam will later irrigate rice fields in a number of surrounding districts, namely East Kolaka, Konawe, South Konawe, and Kolaka.

Jokowi hopes that the presence of the dam can meet the water needs for agriculture in order to support self-reliance, sovereignty, and food security.

According to data from the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, the Ladongi Dam also functions to supply 120 liters of raw water per second, reduce flooding by 176.6 cubic meters per second, and electricity potential of 1.3 megawatts. This dam was built in 2016-2021 at a cost of IDR 1.2 trillion.