Check the Handling of Post-Flood Bireun Aceh, the Minister of Home Affairs See a Number of Areas Still Covered in Lumpur

Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian as Chairman of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Post-disaster Sumatra, directly reviewed the infrastructure of the bridge in Bireuen Regency, Aceh. ANTARA/HO-Kemendagri

JAKARTA - Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian as Chairman of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Post-disaster Sumatra has directly reviewed the infrastructure of the bridge in Bireuen Regency, Aceh.

Tito said that the condition of Bireuen in general was observed to be quite good, especially in urban areas, although there were still a number of points that required further handling.

"From Pidie Jaya, now to Bireuen. In Bireuen, I have discussed with the Regent, thank God the city is good. It is not as affected as in other places," Tito said in his statement in Jakarta, Thursday, quoted by Antara.

During the visit, the Minister of Home Affairs was accompanied by the Regent of Bireuen, Muhklis. The inspection was carried out to ensure the condition and handling of a number of affected bridges, as well as to encourage the acceleration of post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction in the region.

Tito continued that although the city's condition was relatively good, there were still a number of areas covered in mud, including on several bridges. For handling and repairing bridges, it is currently being worked on by the Ministry of Public Works (PU).

He also plans to meet with Minister PU Dody Hanggodo to discuss further regarding bridges in Bireuen Regency.

"The second is that I convey how to, ideas, to clean the houses, the closed corridors. Heavy equipment is needed, (tools) that are half heavy, it's called semi-heavy, in a fairly large number. So that it can enter the residents' houses," he said.

Tito said that the steps to clean the mud are currently being discussed.

He asked the Regent of Bireuen to convey the necessary needs for the acceleration of cleaning.

"My principle is to fully support. In addition, the budget (TKD) for the region, in Aceh has been returned. By the President, he has agreed to return it," he said.

Tito added that for Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra provinces, the President had approved the strengthening of the budgets in the three provinces.

He admitted that he had also held a meeting with all parties concerned to accelerate the realization of the return of transfer funds to the region (TKD). "So that the region has enough finances to handle this disaster," he said.