President Jokowi Is Optimistic The Construction Of Tukul Dam In East Java Will Boost People's Economy, Water Security And Flood Control

President Joko Widodo's speech when Inaugurating the Tukul Dam, Pacitan, East Java (Photo: Screen Capture of the Presidential Secretariat's Youtube)

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) directly inaugurated the operation of the Tukul Dam in Pacitan Regency, East Java, Sunday, February 14. The work on the Tukul Dam began six years ago at a cost of IDR 916 billion.

"Alhamdulillah, this afternoon the Tukul Dam, which was built six years ago at a cost of IDR 916 billion, is now complete and ready to function," said the President during the live inauguration in Pacitan, East Java, witnessed via live streaming on the Youtube channel of the Presidential Secretariat.

President Jokowi said the Tukul Dam has enormous benefits, including flood control, irrigating rice fields, irrigation water, and supplying raw water. "God willing, 300 liters per second, and of course this is for the citizens of the Regent of Pacitan," said the President.

The Head of State said that in addition to the Tukul Dam, several other dams which work has been started since six years have also been inaugurated. Next week the President plans to inaugurate several dams, namely in East Nusa Tenggara, South Kalimantan and Banten.

"By saying Bismillahirohmanirohim, Tukul Dam in Pacitan, East Java, will be inaugurated today," said the President.

The inauguration of the Tukul Dam was marked by pressing the siren button and signing the inscription by Jokowi. Afterward, Jokowi conducted a survey of the Tukul Dam.

Jokowi believes this dam will strengthen water security and food security for the surrounding area. The dam is capable of providing 300 liters of water per second, and has a capacity of 8.7 million cubic meters so that it is able to irrigate 600 hectares of rice fields.

"Dam, once again has a very important role for flood control, to irrigate rice fields, irrigation water, and also to supply raw water," said the President.

He advised the East Java provincial government and the Pacitan regency government to make the most of the dam infrastructure worth IDR 916 billion in order to provide added value to the local area.

Since 6 years ago, the construction of 65 dams throughout the country has been carried out. Some of them have been inaugurated, such as the Raknamo Dam in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), the Rotiklot Dam in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), the Tanju Dam in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

Then, Mila Dam in East Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Tritip Dam in East Kalimantan, Gondang Dam in Central Java, Sei Gong Dam in Riau Islands, Nipah Dam in East Java.