Pedestrians Complain, Riau Governor Instructs Cable Transfer On Siak 1 Bridge

Riau Governor Abdul Wahid when he found the cable piled up on the pedestrian section above the Siak I Pekanbaru Bridge. ANTARA/Bayu Agustari Adha

PeKANBARU - Riau Governor Abdul Wahid highlighted the pile of cables covering pedestrian paths at the Siak I Bridge or Leighton, Pekanbaru, and ordered the Riau Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing, Settlement and Land Areas (PUPR PKPP) to immediately move them.

Abdul Wahid said he received many complaints from the public, especially pedestrians, who were disturbed by this condition. He conveyed this during a site inspection, Wednesday, September 10.

"It turned out to be true, while running in the morning I saw that the placement of this cable was not appropriate and it turned out that it was allowed by PUPR PKPP Riau. This is wrong and it must be fixed. Cables can pass, but below, it does not disturb pedestrians," Wahid said as quoted by Antara.

According to Wahid, there are seven cables that have permits, including those belonging to the Regional Drinking Water Company (PDAM), PLN, and internet provider optical cables. However, there are also cables installed without permission. He also instructed the cables to be immediately revoked because they were not in accordance with the designation.

"If there are public facilities, do not give permission. The office must also be orderly according to the designation. The community should also be responsive in reporting if someone interferes with the facilities," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the PUPR PUPR Office, Riau Zulfahmi, said that his party would prepare a special lane in the form of a hanger access next to the bridge for the cables. The budget will be allocated through the Technical Implementation Unit (UPT), and if it is not sufficient, it will be submitted to the 2025 Revised APBD.

"The governor's directive is to have access cleaned. Those who do not have permission ask for permission immediately or transfer. Those who have permission are still asked to move. We will prepare a place before the end of the year," said Zulfahmi.

He added that the cable installation permit on the Siak I Bridge was granted from 2020 to 2022. At that time, according to him, the existence of the Siak III Bridge reduced the flow of vehicles so that pedestrian path needs were not noticed.

"Maybe at that time it was only crossed by ordinary vehicles, so pedestrians were forgotten. That was our negligence," he said.