DPRD Member Highlights Bobby Nasution About Medan City Government's Low Absorption

MEDAN - The performance of the Medan City Government (Pemko) in absorbing regional spending in the first semester of 2021 is still very low.

This was conveyed by a member of the Medan DPRD, Ishaq Abrar M Tarigan, in a plenary meeting presenting the general views of the factions on the Medan Mayor's introductory note regarding the 2021 APBD Amendments, Monday, September 13.

He explained, based on the realization report for the first semester of Medan City FY 2021, Medan City's regional expenditures amounted to more than Rp. 1.37 trillion or 25.80 percent. Meanwhile, regional income was obtained by Rp. 2.35 trillion, more than the target of Rp. 5.19 trillion.

Thus, there is a surplus of more than Rp975 billion. This means that there are funds that can be used to improve infrastructure according to the budget.

"Judging from the description of regional income and expenditure, it is still very low. If you look at it during January to the end of June 2021, the Medan City Government only carries out routine activities such as personnel and operational expenditures," he said.

Ishaq explained that spending and income in almost all OPDs were below 50 percent.

"For example, at the Education Office, the realization has only reached 27.8 percent. The Health Service only earns 18 percent of the revenue and only 34 percent of the expenditure is realized," he explained.

"Then, the Public Works Agency's revenue is 12.15 percent and spending absorption is 6.40 percent," he continued.

Not only that, from his observations, from January to June, the Public Works Department has only carried out rehabilitation of drainage channels in the amount of Rp. 5 billion and road rehabilitation of Rp. 3 billion.

"In our opinion, this condition needs to be a concern for the Medan City Government. So it is very natural that the drainage and road conditions in Medan City are still bad," he said.

Therefore, Ishaq really understands the complaints and grievances felt by the community regarding the condition of infrastructure in Medan. According to him, the community has made a very large contribution as taxpayers for the development of the city.

"So it is not parallel with what the government did during the first semester for the people of Medan. Therefore, it is only natural that the Medan City Government should at least make infrastructure improvements according to what has been budgeted," he said.