Refusing To Be Blamed Alone, PT KCN Investigates Coal Dust Pollution In Marunda

The chimney emits black smoke which is suspected to have polluted the Marunda Port environment under the supervision of KSOP Marunda, Cilincing, North Jakarta/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The government has imposed administrative sanctions on coal dust pollution in Marunda Flats, North Jakarta, to PT Karya Citra Nusantara (KCN). However, it turned out that PT KCN did not want the company to be blamed alone for the air pollution.

Spokesperson for PT KCN, Maya S. Tunggagini, stated that there are eight ports with loading and unloading activities for bulk commodities in the supporting area of the Main Port, namely the Tanjung Priok International Port.

The eight ports are located at several points along the banks of the Blencong River and around Marunda, Cilincing, and Bekasi which are known as ports in the Marunda area. Therefore, this coal dust pollution, according to Maya, needs to be investigated thoroughly.

"The dynamics related to the issue of coal dust pollution that affects Marunda residents need further investigation to find the truth and actual facts. We suspect that there are parties who have interests and tend to play the issue of coal dust only with KCN Port," Maya said in a statement, Monday, March 28.

Maya revealed that KCN had proposed to the central government, local governments, business actors, and the community around Marunda to sit down together to find a comprehensive solution.

A joint venture company in cooperation with the BUMN PT Kawasan Berikat Nusantara (Persero) with the private sector, PT. This Main Engineering work, continued Maya, has formed its own investigative team.

"KCN has now formed an investigation team to follow up on all forms of reports and accusations that harm the company. For that, we ask all parties to respond to this objectively," she said.

In fact, before the issue of coal dust surfaced, Maya stated that KCN had collaborated with the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) regarding the realization of the Port with the theme Greenport.

"This is preceded by planting the first stage of mangrove species and currently entering the second stage, then doing reforestation in the port area," she explained.

For information, Marunda residents have started to feel this air pollution disturbance since 2018. The perpetrator is PT KCN, which is a port manager that has loading and unloading activities for solid and wet bulk commodities, including coal.

Until finally, the DKI Provincial Government reacted a few days ago. The DKI Environment Agency has imposed administrative sanctions on PT KCN. PT KCN was ordered to improve environmental management as many as 32 items.

The administrative sanctions include PT KCN having to build a 4-meter high embankment in the stockpile or coal stockpile area to prevent coal dust from carrying away during storage no later than 60 calendar days.

Then, PT KCN must function the pier 1 area of ​​the southern Kade for loading and unloading of finished materials that do not have the potential to cause pollution other than coal loading and unloading activities no later than 14 calendar days.

PT KCN must cover with tarpaulin in the coal stockpiling area no later than 14 calendar days, PT KCN must clean up spilled CPO spills resulting from tank cleaning originating from loading and unloading activities of liquid bulk CPO ships no later than 14 calendar days.

PT KCN must carry out emergency response to liquid CPO spills that occur no later than 14 calendar days. PT KCN must increase the frequency and scope of watering to be more effective to prevent the appearance of fine dust remaining from coal loading and unloading activities no later than 7 calendar days.

PT KCN is required to continuously improve the handling and cleaning of spilled coal during the loading and unloading activities of coal no later than 14 calendar days.

PT KCN is also required to provide truck wheel washbasins at the activity location no later than 30 calendar days. PT KCN must hand over spilled coal mixed with mud resulting from the handling of spills and dredged at sea that has been collected to a third party no later than 30 calendar days.

For information, Marunda residents have started to feel this air pollution disturbance since 2018. The perpetrator is PT KCN, which is a port manager that has loading and unloading activities for solid and wet bulk commodities, including coal.

Until finally, the DKI Provincial Government reacted a few days ago. The DKI Environment Agency has imposed administrative sanctions on PT KCN. PT KCN was ordered to improve environmental management as many as 32 items.

The administrative sanctions include PT KCN having to build a 4-meter high embankment in the stockpile or coal stockpile area to prevent coal dust from carrying away during storage no later than 60 calendar days.

Then, PT KCN must function the pier 1 area of ​​the southern Kade for loading and unloading of finished materials that do not have the potential to cause pollution other than coal loading and unloading activities no later than 14 calendar days.

PT KCN must cover with tarpaulin in the coal stockpiling area no later than 14 calendar days, PT KCN must clean up spilled CPO spills resulting from tank cleaning originating from loading and unloading activities of liquid bulk CPO ships no later than 14 calendar days.

PT KCN must carry out emergency response to liquid CPO spills that occur no later than 14 calendar days. PT KCN must increase the frequency and scope of watering to be more effective to prevent the appearance of fine dust remaining from coal loading and unloading activities no later than 7 calendar days.

PT KCN is obliged to continuously improve the handling and cleaning activities of spilled coal during loading and unloading activities of coal no later than 14 calendar days.

PT KCN is also required to provide truck wheel wash basins at the activity location no later than 30 calendar days. PT KCN must submit spilled coal mixed with mud resulting from the handling of spillage and dredged at sea which has been collected to a third party no later than 30 calendar days.