The Ministry Of PUPR Did Not Build A New Dam In 2023-2024, Here's The Reason

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono emphasized that the government will not build a new dam in 2023-2024.

Basuki explained that the government will focus on completing the construction of 61 dams and utilizing the dams that have been completed, in particular to support the provision of drinking water.

"In 2023-2024, PUPR and the government will generally be very selective in building new infrastructure. Only what is the President's order, other things we will do, which we are implementing, and taking advantage of what we have completed," he said, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, October 5.

Basuki said the government would increase the benefits of the 61 dams that have been built and are being built to increase water capacity.

Utilization is carried out through the construction of the Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM), irrigation networks, installing turbines for electricity, and for flood control.

"This is an opportunity and support for Perpamsi (Indonesian Drinking Water Company Association) to utilize water storage at these dams," said Basuki.

The construction of the dam has been part of an infrastructure program in the agricultural sector since President Jokowi took office.

29 dams have been completed and 32 dams are still under construction until 2022.

In line with Basuki, Director General of Human Settlements at the Ministry of PUPR Diana Kusumastuti said that in the future the State Budget will be prioritized for the functionalization of drinking water assets so that there will be no construction of a new dam in the next two years.

"The low coverage of drinking water services is not only a reflection of the low level of funding, but the management of the supply of drinking water that is less effective and efficient, including infrastructure that has been built but cannot be managed properly," Diana said.