Minister Of Public Works: The Bulango Ulu Dam Supports Food Security

The construction of the Bulango Ulu Dam in Bone Bolango Regency, Gorontalo Province. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Public Works)

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo revealed the construction of the Bulango Ulu Dam in Bone Bolango Regency, Gorontalo Province in order to realize food security in Eastern Indonesia.

Dody emphasized that the importance of building this dam is one of the national strategic infrastructure projects. The construction of the Bulango Ulu Dam is not just a physical project, but part of the government's commitment to realizing food sovereignty and water security, especially in Eastern Indonesia.

"The Ministry of Public Works targets the construction to be completed by the end of 2025, hopefully it can run smoothly according to plan," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 12.

The Ministry of Public Works continues to encourage the acceleration of the construction of the Bulango Ulu Dam in Bone Bolango Regency, Gorontalo Province.

As of August 1, 2025, the physical progress of the dam construction has reached 85.6 percent.

The construction of the Bulango Ulu dam is an effort to support the national food self-sufficiency program through the provision of water for irrigation, water security and reducing flood risk.

The Bulango Ulu Dam is designed to have a total capacity of 140.95 million m3 with an effective volume of 58.61 million m3.

This dam will not only provide raw water of 2,200 liters/second and irrigate an irrigation area of 4,950 hectares, but also serve as flood control for an area of 629 hectares, a microhydro power plant (PLTMH) with a capacity of 4,96 MW, and the potential for tourism development in the dam area.

This project is carried out through two main packages. Package I includes the construction of access roads, bridges, main piles (main dams), as well as cleaning inundation areas. While Package II includes delegation buildings, evaders, hydromechanicals, as well as other dam facilities.

In addition to the main construction, the construction of public facilities such as the Dam Management Unit (UPB) office, official residences, prayer rooms, multipurpose halls, gates, and guard posts also continues to run, strengthening the integration of dam areas as service centers and post-development operational supervision.

One of the main challenges in project completion is land acquisition. Of the total 1,723 plots of land, 75.91 percent or 1,231 fields have been free.

The rest are still in the process of administrative settlement, either through consignment, court determination, or further coordination with local governments.

Kementerian PU juga mencatat pekerjaan fisik utama seperti timbunan utama (main dam), spillway, serta bangunan pengambilan terus didorong agar selesai sesuai dengan target.

Agenda penting lainnya seperti plugging & impounding, pemasangan sistem hidromekanikal, hingga penataan lanskap direncanakan selesai secara bertahap hingga pertengahan 2026.

“Dengan kerja sama seluruh pihak, Kementerian PU optimistis Bendungan Bulango Ulu dapat segera rampung dan memberikan manfaat nyata bagi masyarakat Gorontalo dan sekitarnya,” kata Dody.

The Ministry of Public Works also noted that major physical work such as main piles (main dam), spillways, and pick-up buildings continues to be encouraged to be completed according to the target.

Other important agendas such as plugging & impressioning, installation of hydromechanical systems, and landscape arrangement are planned to be completed in stages until mid-2026.

"With the cooperation of all parties, the Ministry of Public Works is optimistic that the Bulango Ulu Dam can be completed soon and provide tangible benefits for the people of Gorontalo and its surroundings," said Dody.