Finally, Ciliwung Continues Normalization, Jokowi: After Stopping For A While

President Joko Widodo reviewed the normalization project of the Ciliwung River in Pengadegan, South Jakarta, Tuesday (21/2/2023). ANTARA/Rangga Pandu Asmara Jingga

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo ensured that the normalization of the Ciliwung River was continued at this time. Normalization work has been carried out along 16 kilometers from the target of 33 kilometers.

It is known, the normalization of Ciliwung began to be carried out in 2013 and stalled in 2017, when Anies Baswedan served as Governor of DKI Jakarta. This project was then resumed when Jakarta was led by Heru Budi Hartono.

"This is the normalization of the Ciliwung River, approximately 17 kilos left. After stopping for a while, we will start this soon," said Jokowi while reviewing the development of the Ciliwung River normalization project in Pengadegan, South Jakarta, Tuesday, February 21.

When he began to take office replacing Anies Baswedan, Heru immediately planned land acquisition for a number of fields in Rawajati, South Jakarta. Then, the normalization construction work was continued by the Ministry of PUPR.

"There have been several points that have been released, for example in Rawajati, the construction can immediately begin, the sheetpile is by the Ministry of Public Works," said Jokowi.

Jokowi continued, the land acquisition for Ciliwung normalization will be continued in Pengadegan starting Wednesday, February 22 tomorrow. The former governor of DKI Jakarta believes that the normalization of Ciliwung will be able to reduce the impact of Jakarta's floods.

"Ciliwung normalization will really be completed, so that aanta will reduce the flood because the water from above is also detained by the Ciawi Dam and Sukamahi Dam. This is only Ciliwung, there are still 12 rivers in DKI Jakarta that also require normalization," he explained.

He also targets the normalization of the Ciliwung River to be completed by 2024. "We hope that I will give the target earlier, in two years. This means that by the end of 2024 (the work is completed), which is 17 kilos, God willing, it will be completed. So, the normalization of the Ciliwung River is really complete," Jokowi continued.

Previously, Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono allocated around Rp. 700 billion for land acquisition for residential areas affected by river normalization for four urban villages in the 2023 DKI Regional Budget.

So far, Heru continued, his party has two options, including paying compensation costs to residents who are recorded as having affected land parcels. However, if not, they will be relocated to flats.

"Residents who still have land and their rights on the edge of the river will be compensated. Second, for residents who live along the riverbanks and do not have a right, we will move them to the flats," said Heru on Tuesday, November 8.

The hang-out flat will be occupied by residents affected by the eviction of the Ciliwung normalization project being built by the DKI Provincial Government on Jalan Margasatwa, South Jakarta.

The construction of the Rusunawa on Jalan Margasatwa will use the APBD for the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years with a total construction cost of IDR 375 billion.